Latest Current Affairs For Monday 10th July, 2023

Atal Innovation Mission launches ‘ATL Industry Visit’

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with Bayer launched a unique industry visit initiative under Atal Tinkering labs in Vapi, Gujarat.

Aim: To introduce students to the latest manufacturing techniques and technologies used in industry. 

Bayer has partnered with Niti Aayog since 2021 to support various initiatives of the AIM.

Bayer has adopted a total of 125 ATL schools in seven states to nurture and strengthen science-based learning.

National Water Mission Inks Pact with Indian Plumbing Association

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE), National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti and Indian Plumbing Association (IPA).

Reason: For a Water Positive India by awareness creation & promotion of rain water harvesting structures, low flow fixtures & sanitary ware, treatment of grey & black water, water audit of built environment. 

Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit inaugurated in Gandhinagar

The Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit was inaugurated by Bhupendrabhai Patel (Chief Minister of Gujarat) and Kaushal Kishore (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs) in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat CM highlighted forward-looking urban initiatives being implemented in the State.

While Kaushal Kishore highlighted the policies and programs initiated by the Government to promote green development, including the LIFE mission, promotion of renewable energy, etc.

SEBI updates rules to ease the debt securities issuers disclosure structure

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) released regulations for the introduction of general information and important information document concepts.

Aim: To prevent debt securities issuers from filing numerous copies of the same document. 

At the time of the initial offering, a General Information Document (GID) including the details and disclosures listed in the common schedule will be lodged with the stock exchanges.

Ministry of Education releases report on Performance Grading Index 2.0

Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States and UTs which assesses the performance of the school education system at the State/UT level by creating an index for comprehensive analysis.

The PGI - States/UTs was first released for the year 2017-18 and so far, has been released up to the year 2020-21.

The new PGI structure covers 73 indicators and focuses on qualitative assessment including digital initiatives and teacher education.

MoD & HAL sign a contract to upgrade Dornier Aircraft for ICG

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated Engineering Support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore.

The aircraft will be procured under the Buy (Indian) Category.

The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL, Kanpur, and will significantly contribute to achieving Aatmanirbharta in defense.

NLC India Ltd bags GeM Award in "Timely Payments (CPSEs)" Category

NLC India Limited, a Navratna company under the Ministry of Coal,  bagged the GeM award in the category "Timely Payments (CPSEs)" for the year 2023.

Reason: For its outstanding contribution to improving the reliability of e-market practices in line with the vision of GeM. 

NLCIL registered and on-boarded in GeM portal in the year 2017.

GeM is a dedicated e-Market service platform for marketing different goods and services.

Karnataka government announced Budget for 2023-24

Karnataka's CM Siddaramaiah has unveiled the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 and has introduced a notable provision.

The budget now includes a provision for life and accident insurance, offering coverage of 4 lahks to e-commerce delivery personnel.

The government recognized the need to establish a social security net to support these workers.

The government will provide additional financial aid of ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 a month to each household.

India & Panama Sign MoU on Electoral Cooperation

The Election Commission of India and the Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama signed an MoU to establish the institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration.

ECI has already signed MoUs with Mexico, Brazil, and Chile to expand its links and cooperation with foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through its ‘International Cooperation Programme’.

This is the fourth MoU signed by ECI in the Latin Americas region. 

Belgian tennis player Justine Henin receives the Philippe Chatrier Award

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) awarded the highest honor, ' Philippe Chatrier Award 2023', to Belgian tennis player Justine Henin.

She has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal and won the Fed Cup (Billie Jean King Cup) in 2001.

The award was named after the former ITF president and was introduced in 1996.

This award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the sport on and off the court.

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.