Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 23, 2023
Current affairs are a significant part of the government examinations. Although it is easy to score well on this section, preparation may be a challenge. We have selected the best of the most current news and put it together in Embibe’s Current Affairs series. Our experts selected the questions on this page based on the important events that occurred.
Motivation++
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen”
—Michael Jordan
Current Affairs: Reports and Indexes
ASER Report 2022 Released
The NGO Pratham has recently issued the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022.
It examines the effects of the closures of schools in 2020 and 2021, as well as the return of students to the classroom in 2022.
Despite the pandemic-related school shut down, the total enrollment counts grew from 97.2% in 2018 to 98.4% in 2022.
Details:
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) released on 19 January revealed that almost all (98.4%) students in the age bracket of 6-14 years are now enrolled in schools.
This national survey sheds light on learning outcomes in schools and is led by the Pratham Foundation.
It was last conducted at this scale in 2018, which marks the survey’s return after four years.
Key Findings:
The overall enrollment rate for students aged 6 to 14 rose from 97.2% in 2018 to 98.4% in 2022.
Additionally, the percentage of kids in this age range (3 to 16) who are not actively enrolled decreased to 1.6% from 2.8% in 2018, the lowest level ever.
From 65.6% in 2018 to 72.9% in 2022, children enrolled in government schools saw a dramatic increase, reversing another pattern of a continuous decline in student enrolments recorded since 2006.
Question:
According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 published by the NGO Pratham, the net enrolment rate for students aged 6 to 14 in 2022 increased by how much percentage?
A. 72%
B. 88%
C. 98%
D. 100%
Answer: C
Current Affairs: National
First Global Tourism Investors’ Summit
Under its G20 presidency, India will be organising the country’s first Global Tourism Summit in New Delhi from 10–12 April 2023, with the Ministry of Tourism being the organiser and leading the event.
All G-20 member countries will be invited to participate in the summit.
CII is the Industry Partner for this event.
Details:
The conference aims to bring together global businesses, think tanks and policymakers to understand and explore tourism business opportunities in India.
In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism organised a roadshow in Chandigarh on 17 January 2023.
The event focused on promoting India as an investment destination for travel, tourism and hospitality by identifying state-specific investment potential and discussing ways to promote sustainable tourism.
Question:
India will be organising the country’s first Global Tourism Summit in which of the following cities?
A. Bhubaneswar
B. Srinagar
C. Guwahati
D. Delhi
Answer: D
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Ecology
‘Spot Bellied Eagle Owl’ spotted in Seshachalam Forest of Andhra Pradesh for the First Time
A wildlife team recently stumbled upon a ‘Spot Bellied Eagle Owl’ (Bubo Nipalensis) for the first time in the Seshachalam forest and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh.
The bird’s habitat, found on large trees in thick forests, is spread across the Indian subcontinent. But it was sighted only twice in the State earlier, and both times it was at Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).
The bold predatory bird, measuring 20-25 inches in length and weighing between 1.5 kg and 2 kg, feeds on small rodents and lizards. “The bird makes a strange scream similar to humans and it is hence called the ‘Ghost of the Forest’ in India and ‘Devil Bird’ in Sri Lanka”.
Other Details:
Scientific name: Bubo nipalensis
Spot Bellied Eagle Owl is also known as the forest eagle owl
They are large, very powerful and bold predatory birds
It measures about 50 to 65 cm in length and weighs 1500 to 1700 grams
It is a forest-inhabiting species found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
These species occur in altitudes from 300 to 3000 metres
Conservation Status:
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): Appendix II
About Seshachalam Hills:
The Seshachalam Hills are a part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh
They are a group of seven hills: Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri
Seshachalam was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in the year 2010
It has large reserves of red sandalwood
Question:
Which of the following Owl species has recently been spotted in the Seshachalam forest of Andhra Pradesh for the first time?
A. Brown Fish Owl
B. Brown Hawk Owl
C. Spot Bellied Eagle Owl
D. Mottled Wood-owl
Answer: C
Current Affairs: National
Hyderabad to host India’s first Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre on Healthcare, Life Sciences
Hyderabad will host a World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), the first thematic centre in India to focus on life sciences and healthcare.
Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) will be set up in collaboration with World Economic Forum (WEF), an autonomous organisation (HQ: Geneva, Switzerland).
About the centre:
The centre will be an autonomous, non-profit organisation focusing on policy and governance for healthcare and life sciences.
C4IR Telangana is the 18th centre to join the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, which spans four continents.
The centre will help Telangana become an important node in the global network and consolidate its leadership position globally.
About Fourth Industrial Revolution:
The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another.
It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions.
Industry 4.0 builds upon Industry 3.0, which was largely based on the use of electronics and information technology
Concerns:
Job Loss (due to automation), Increased inequalities, Privacy and Security concerns, etc.
Fact:
The first industrial revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production (the 1800s).
The second used electric power to create mass production (the early 1900s).
The third used electronics and information technology to automate production (the late 1900s).
Question:
Which of the following cities is going to host India’s first Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre on healthcare and life sciences?
A. Delhi
B. Ahmedabad
C. Jaipur
D. Hyderabad
Answer: D
Current Affairs: International
India Funded the Hi-Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Scheme of Maldives
In a bid to strengthen ties, India and Maldives recently signed pacts on development projects as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the island country and held talks with the top leadership in the country.
In an attempt to strengthen ties, India and Maldives signed pacts on development projects and held talks with the top leadership in the country.
About the pact:
The pact included grant assistance of 100 million Rufiyaa (currency of Maldives) for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme.
A number of socio-economic development projects are planned to be implemented, like the development of a sports complex in Gahdhoo and academic collaboration between Maldives National University and Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Two sea ambulances were also granted from India to the Ministry of Defence of Maldives.
Details:
The Maldivian Foreign Minister said the two sea ambulances procured under the HICDP scheme would greatly enhance the capacity of the emergency medical services.
Jaishankar also visited Noonu Mandhoo pre-school.
India will send 10,000 school books to be distributed to 260 schools in this country.
Question:
Recently India has funded the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme of which of the following neighbouring countries?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Maldives
C. Afghanistan
D. Bangladesh
Answer: B
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: Geography
Rare Dinosaur Fossil Discovered in Central India
At least 250 fossilised eggs and over 90 nesting sites of the dinosaur Titanosaurus, dating back about 67 million years, have been discovered in central India by scientists from Delhi University, according to experts involved in the excavation.
Indian researchers found these rare cases of fossilised dinosaur eggs from a new site in the Narmada Valley.
Details:
The findings of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE on 18 January 2023.
The discovery suggests that Titanosaurs—one of the largest dinosaurs to have roamed the Earth—displayed a notable reproductive trait unique to modern-day birds.
The egg has two yolks; this feature can be seen in birds, suggesting they share similar reproductive traits.
The eggs were found to measure 15–17 centimetres in diameter.
They were found during field investigations in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh between 2017 and 2020.
They are found in Lameta exposure (a sedimentary rock formation known for its dinosaur fossils).
The eggs belonged to six species, suggesting a higher diversity of these extinct giants in India.
Question:
Recently 250 fossilised eggs and over 90 nesting sites of the dinosaur Titanosaurus, dating back about 67 million years, were found in which of the following river valleys of India?
A. Satluj River Valley
B. Brahmaputra River Valley
C. Narmada River valley
D. Ganges River Valley
Answer: C
Fact Book – 20 January 2023
Krishna Vavilala: Indian-American awarded with MLK Grand Parade Special award
As the United States commemorated the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Indian-American Krishna Vavilala received the MLK Grande Parade Special Award for his contributions to connecting the Indian diaspora with mainstream America.
Vavilala, 86, a longtime Houston resident and the founder and chairman of the Foundation of India Studies (FIS), has previously led several MLK Grande Parades.
He also dressed as Mahatma Gandhi with the sole purpose of bringing the Indian community closer to the Black community, based on nonviolent principles that both Gandhi and MLK Jr. had followed.
British Indian entrepreneur conferreddom of City of London honour
Manish Tiwari, a British Indian entrepreneur, has been awarded thedom of the City of London honour for his contributions to the financial hub of the UK capital.
The award ceremony was held at the Chamberlain’s Court in the iconic Guildhall in London. Tiwari is the founder of an ethnic minority focussed marketing agency named Here and Now 365.
Recently, Manish Tiwari read the “Declaration of aman” and also signed the ‘Freeman’s Declaration Book’.
The honour is steeped in history.
It also gave him the recognition of “Freeman”, the right to trade in the Square Mile or the financial heart of London.
Tiwari is the founder of an ethnic minority focussed marketing agency named Here and Now 365.
Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was honoured with this award. Along with him, the other prominent recipients include
South African leader Nelson Mandela and
Microsoft founder Bill Gates
Rohit Sharma breaks MS Dhoni’s record of most sixes in ODIs in India.
After the series against Sri Lanka, Indian captain Rohit Sharma did not get big runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, but he registered his name in the record book.
He now holds the record for most sixes in ODIs on Indian soil.
The record for most sixes in ODIs on Indian soil was held by former India captain MS Dhoni. Dhoni had hit 123 sixes at home.
Before coming down against New Zealand, Rohit also had 123 sixes. Yesterday Rohit overtook Dhoni by hitting two sixes on his way to innings of 34 runs.
Rohit reached the new feat by smashing a Henry Shipley delivery over extra cover into the gallery.
Rohit’s number of sixes on Indian soil in the ODI format is now 125. Yuvraj Singh is third on this list with 71 sixes.
Most sixes in ODIs in India:
1. Rohit Sharma – 125
2. MS Dhoni – 123
3. Yuvraj Singh – 71
CGI has been titled a Top Employer 2023 in India
CGI has been certified as a Top Employer 2023 in India third year in a row for its positive workplace culture, learning and development, leadership development, career and succession management, and workforce planning.
CGI is one of the leading consultancy service providers in the country.
The title was conferred for its positive workplace culture, learning and development, leadership development, career and succession management, etc.
The firm was founded in 1976. It is among the world’s largest independent IT and business consulting services firms. The company employs over 18,000 professionals in India and has expertise with more than 300 clients around the globe.
Bharat Pravah-India
Recently, the Ministry of Shipping, Waterways, and Ports has launched ‘Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores’, an initiative to highlight the significance and imagery of rivers, ports, and shipping in everyday life through a series of nationwide events.
Kochi, Vizhinjam in Kerala and Galathea Bay ports in Andaman Nicobar Islands have made some headway in the direction of becoming full-fledged transhipment hubs.
Bharat Pravah will serve as a common platform to bring together stakeholders from different walks for the purpose of creating a larger vision of shipping, rivers, seas and people.
It will highlight the challenges, policy issues and future goals relating to the maritime sector.
MeitY launches a new tech system to monitor air quality
Recently, the Technology for Air Quality Monitoring System – AI-AQMS v1.0 was launched by MeitY.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata, has developed an outdoor air quality monitoring station to monitor environmental pollutants.
It includes parameters like PM 1.0, PM 2.5, PM 10.0, SO2, NO2, CO, O2, ambient temperature, relative humidity, etc., for continuous air quality analysis of the environment.
India’s first 3x platform wind turbine generators (WTG) were installed in Karnataka
In Gadag, Karnataka, ReNew Power erected India’s first 3x platform wind turbine generators (WTGs).
The new wind turbine generators will be used in the country’s first “Round the Clock” renewable energy project, which will combine wind, solar, and battery energy storage technology (BESS).
This project will generate enough energy to power over one million Indian households annually.
New Goa Manohar International Airport wins best sustainable greenfield airport award
GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure, has won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport’ award under aviation sustainability and environment at ASSOCHAM’s 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023.
The award was presented for “excellent initiatives” taken by GGIAL in implementing sustainability as one of the core concepts.
The criteria of awards are contribution, innovativeness, applicability, relevance and impact potential in their respective areas.
The jury evaluated the participants on various parameters and innovative thought processes.
International Tourism Fair FITUR 2023 kicks off in Madrid
King Felipe and Queen Letizia inaugurated the 43rd edition of the International Tourism Fair, Fitur 2023, on 18 January, which is being held in IFEMA Madrid. The exhibition witnessed an expected attendance, similar to the pre-Covid-19 pandemic, thus aiming to consolidate the recovery of the sector worldwide.
This year’s Fitur motto is “Citizens of the World. We Are tourism”, and its focus is on a healthy and sustainable future.
This year it is Guatemala that will show a varied tourist offer. With destinations like Guatemala Std and natural enclaves like Lake Atitlán – one of the country’s most visited attractions.
Jnanpith awardee Nilmani Phookan dies
Jnanpith awardee and eminent Assamese litterateur Nilmani Phookan died on 19 January following prolonged old-age-related problems.
He was 90.
He is the third recipient of the Jnanpith award in Assam after Birendranath Bhattacharya and Mamoni (Indira) Raisom Goswami.
He received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1981 for his book of poems ‘Kobita’, the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Sahitya Akademi fellowship in 2002.
Aruna Miller becomes Maryland’s first Indian-American Lieutenant Governor
Aruna Miller has scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American politician to be sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor in the state of Maryland, adjoining the US capital.
Her father, a mechanical engineer, was the first to arrive in the US in the late 1960s as a student before he brought the rest of his family, and she arrived in the country in 1972 as a 7-year-old.
The Lieutenant Governor is the state’s highest official following the Governor and assumes the role when the Governor is out of state or incapacitated.
Miller is the state’s first and the country’s only current Black chief executive.
The newly sworn-in Lt Governor took her oath on the Bhagwat Gita.
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