Daily Current Affairs and GK | 12 September 2023

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. India-UK 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) held in New Delhi.

• India and the United Kingdom affirmed their commitment to deepen their collaboration on Financial Services.
• The main focus of the dialogue was to enhance knowledge exchange, cooperation and support between India and the UK.
• Both sides also agreed to enhance mutual cooperation on macroeconomic and multilateral issues.
• Both countries also announced the India-UK Infrastructure Finance Bridge.
• It is a collaborative initiative to leverage expertise and investment in support of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline.
• The dialogue concluded with a Joint Statement by the Union Finance Minister of India and Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom.
• The Ministers also participated in the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) meeting. It was co-chaired by Mr. Uday Kotak and Mr. Bill Winters.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Personality in News

2. Dennis Austin passed away recently.

• He co-created the PowerPoint software along with Robert Gaskins.
• Austin died from lung cancer that metastasised to the brain.
• PowerPoint was released by software firm Forethought in 1987.
• It was initially released for Macintosh computers only. Microsoft acquired PowerPoint later.
• Gaskins has written the book "Sweating Bullets: Notes about Inventing PowerPoint" (2012).

Topic: Defence

3. World’s highest fighter airfield will be constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Nyoma region of Ladakh.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lay down the foundation stone of the project from Devak Bridge in Jammu on 12 September 2023.
• As per BRO chief Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Narendra Modi-led NDA government is proactively working towards developing infrastructure along the 3,488 Km stretch of the Line of Actual Control.
• He said 295 projects have been completed worth Rs 11,000 crore in last 2-3 years.
• He highlighted the increase in the budget earmarked for the development of infrastructure along the LAC by the Central government.
• He said, "In 2008, our budget used to be approximately Rs 3,000 crore. In the last year around Rs 12,340 crore were spent."

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. ‘Ayushman Bhava' campaign will be launched during 'Seva Pakhwada'.

• President Droupadi Murmu will launch the campaign on 13 September.
• However, it will be introduced during the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17.
• It is a campaign to ensure optimum delivery of health schemes to every intended beneficiary.
• It is an umbrella campaign comprising Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, Ayushman Mela, and Ayushman Sabha.
• Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 is aimed at creation and distribution of Ayushman cards to all remaining eligible beneficiaries.
• As part of Ayushman Mela, weekly health melas will be held at the level of Ayushman Bharat-Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
• Ayushman Sabha is a village/ward level sabha to be organized to enhance awareness about various health care schemes and services.
• During this programme, 60,000 people will be given Ayushman Bharat cards through camps.
• An online organ donation pledge registry will be started during the 'Sewa Pakhwada'.
• All blood banks will organise at least one blood donation camp during the 'Seva Pakhwada'.
• The government worked on the issue of tuberculosis last year on the Prime Minister's birthday.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. A scheme to recognize Internet Service Providers (ISPs) launched by the Department of Telecommunications.

• The scheme has been launched for their exceptional efforts in expanding Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband connections in rural areas.
• This scheme is a significant move aimed at promoting digital inclusion and socio-economic development in rural India.
• Under the scheme, the DoT has decided to recognize nine ISPs, three each from Categories A, B, and C, that have provided the maximum number of net additions to rural FTTH connections in a year.
• Under recognition, a certificate will be issued and the name of the ISP will be displayed on the website of the Department of Telecommunications.
• This recognition will be given every year from April to March.
• The first verification will be for the period April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
• The minimum net worth criteria for each category are as follows:
  • Category A: ISPs in this category need to achieve a minimum of Rs 50,000 net addition in rural FTTH connections.
  • Category B: ISPs in this category need to achieve a minimum of Rs 10,000 net addition in rural FTTH connections.
  • Category C: ISPs in this category will need to achieve a minimum of Rs 2,000 net addition in rural FTTH connections.
• This initiative reflects the commitment of the Government of India to increase digital reach and connectivity in rural areas and promote socio-economic development and inclusive growth across the country.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. A national competition on ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ launched by the Ministry of Tourism.

• It has been launched to identify best practices and case studies in line with the five priorities of the G20 Goa Roadmap.
• On 27th September, the competition will be launched on World Tourism Day.
• The New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted during the G20 Summit underlined the importance of the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• New Delhi Leaders' Declaration provides a new direction for the tourism sector with the G20 Goa Roadmap.
• It outlines the challenges, objectives, opportunities, and recommendations for the tourism sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The 'GOA Roadmap', the key deliverable of India's G20 Tourism Track, is a pioneering initiative that provides a blueprint for sustainable global tourism.
• The roadmap focuses on five priorities which are green tourism, digitalisation, skills, tourism MSME, and destination management.
• G20 leaders also supported the launch of the “Travel for LiFE” initiative, emphasizing its transformative potential in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

7. The first Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on 12 September 2023.

• According to Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, eminent scientists, farmers, and resource persons from 59 countries across the globe will take part in the programme.
• They will discuss issues related to Farmers’ Rights as enshrined in Article 9 of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
• India is the world’s first country to include Farmers’ Rights in the context of Plant Variety Registration through its Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
• Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will also take part in the event.
• International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:
  • It was signed in 2001 in Madrid, and entered into force on 29 June 2004.
  • It is also known as the International Seed Treaty or Plant Treaty.

Topic: International News

8. India and Saudi Arabia signed MoU in areas of energy, digitalization, and investment.

• Bilateral and delegation-level talks were held by PM Modi with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in New Delhi.
• PM Modi said Saudi Arabia has seen tremendous economic growth under the leadership of the Crown Prince.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the first Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
• The Crown Prince is on a three-day state visit to India. He reached New Delhi on 09 September 2023 to attend the 18th G20 summit.
• India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
• During Financial Year 2022-23 bilateral trade was valued at over 52 billion dollars.
• Saudi direct investments in India amount to over three billion dollars.
• Saudi Arabia remained India’s third-largest Crude and Petroleum products sourcing destination for the Financial Year 2022-23.

Topic: Science and Technology

9. IISc scientists developed a method to detect and kill cancer cells.

• Scientists have created hybrid nanoparticles of gold and copper sulphide, which can kill cancer cells using heat. It can also detect cancer cells using sound waves.
• Earlier, Copper sulphide nanoparticles have received attention for their application in cancer diagnosis.
• Gold nanoparticles can be chemically modified to target cancer cells.
• In the current study, IISC has combined these two nanoparticles.
• These particles have photothermal, oxidative stress, and photoacoustic properties.
• These hybrid nanoparticles can absorb light and generate heat, killing cancer cells.
• These nanoparticles also produce singlet oxygen atoms that are toxic to the cells.
• The photoacoustic property of the nanoparticles will absorb light and generate ultrasound waves, which can detect cancer cells.
• The ultrasound waves generated from the particles will generate more accurate image resolution.
• The hybrid nanoparticles are less than 8nm in size and they can travel inside tissues easily and reach tumours.  

Topic: Sports

10. Virat Kohli becomes the fastest batter to score 13,000 ODI runs.

• Virat Kohli scored the fastest 13000 runs in ODI. He broke the record of Sachin Tendulkar (321 innings).
• He achieved this feat in the match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo.
• Virat Kohli scored 13000 runs in just 277 innings. He also scored his 47th ODI century in 84 balls.
• Kohli has now become the fifth batter in ODIs to cross the 13,0000-run mark.
• Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (14,234), Aussie Ricky Ponting (13,704) and Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430) are the other batters who scored more than 13000 runs.

Topic: Important Day

11. National Forest Martyrs Day 2023: 11 September

• Every year on September 11, National Forest Martyrs Day is observed.
• This day is celebrated to honor the sacrifices made by individuals for the preservation of forests and wildlife.
• It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of conserving our forests, wildlife, and natural resources.
• However, the history of this day can be traced back to the Khejarli massacre in 1730.
• In 1730, the historic Khejarli massacre occurred within the Marwar Empire when Maharaja Abhay Singh of Rajasthan ordered the cutting of trees in the Bishnoi village of Khejarli to obtain wood for a new palace.
• The Bishnoi community led by Amrita Devi strongly opposed this action and were ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the forest. Lastly, the decision was revoked.
• In memory of the sacrifices made by the Bishnoi community, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change chose 11 September to observe National Forest Martyrs' Day in 2013.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award will be given to 12 scientists for the year 2022.

• On 11 September, India’s top annual science prize, the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Awards was announced after a gap of two years.
• The awards were announced by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, and will be given in seven categories.
• The award is named after Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the first director of CSIR.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize:
  • It is given annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for notable and outstanding research.
  • It is given to Indian scientists below the age of 45 for outstanding for their contributions in seven scientific disciplines - physics, biology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, and earth sciences.
  • The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
  • The list of awardees including SSB awards 2022:

Topic: Sports

13. India defeated Bangladesh in the finals of the SAFF U-16 Championships.

• India’s U-16 team won the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 by defeating Bangladesh by 2-0 in the finals.
• Bharat Lairenjam (8th minute), and Levis Zangminlun (74th) scored goals from India.
• India’s U-16 team guided by head coach Ishfaq Ahmed had finished top of Group A.
• India defeated Maldives in the semi-finals by 8-0.
• India displayed tactical prowess and control in the final match.
• 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship:
  • It was the 8th edition of the SAFF U-16 Championship.
  • It is an international football competition for men's under-17 national teams.
  • It is organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
  • It was held from 2–10 September 2023 in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Topic: Defence

14. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate 90 critical infrastructure projects.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate 90 critical infrastructure projects developed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) at the cost of 2941 crore rupees.
• He will inaugurate and dedicate these projects to the nation in the Samba district of the Jammu division.
• He will inaugurate state of the art 422.9 meters long, Class 70 RCC Devak Bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur Road in Samba district
• It will facilitate the speedy induction of troops, heavy equipment and mechanised vehicles to border areas.
• Out of these projects, 11 have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir, 26 in Ladakh, 36 in Arunachal Pradesh, and 05 in Mizoram.
• The projects include 21 new roads, 64 bridges, one tunnel, two airstrips, and two helipads.
• The Defence Minister will also attend the prestigious North Tech Symposium – 2023 hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu.
• A grand exhibition boosting the latest products from over 200 industry participants will show the highlights of the Symposium.