Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 and 19 June 2023

Topic: National News  

1. National Yoga Olympiad is being organized in Madhya Pradesh.

• National Yoga Olympiad is being organized ahead of the main event on the 9th International Yoga Day on June 21 at Jabalpur.
• Governor Mangu Bhai Patel inaugurated the three-day National Yoga Olympiad in Bhopal on 18 June 2023.
• It is being held for the first time outside the national capital Delhi.
• National Yoga Olympiad was started by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in 2016.
• Last year, the Ministry of Education and NCERT jointly organized National Yoga Olympiad from 18th to 20th June 2022. Its theme was “Yoga for Humanity”.
• International Yoga Day:
  • Every year on 21 June, International Day of Yoga is observed to recognize the various benefits of Yoga and promote Yoga as a way of life. 
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11 December 2014 adopted the resolution to mark 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.
  • The theme for International Yoga Day 2023 is Humanity.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be given to Gita Press, Gorakhpur.

• The Jury for the award was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The award recognizes the outstanding contribution of Gita Press to social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
• Gita Press was established in 1923. It has published over 41 crore books in 14 languages, which include over 16 crore Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
• Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award. It was started by the government in 1995.
• It was started on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The award carries an amount of one crore rupees, a citation and a plaque.
• The award can be given to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

3. NHAI released guidelines to rectify accident-prone spots on national highways.

• To improve road safety on National Highways, NHAI issued guidelines to rectify accident-prone spots on the national highways by implementing short-term measures.
• As per the new guidelines, NHAI project directors have been delegated the work to rectify accident-prone spots recommended either by the respective state police chief or the district road safety committee.
• Short-term measures costing more than Rs.10 lakhs and up to Rs. 25 lakhs have been delegated to the concerned Regional Office.
• Short-term measures to improve black spots include providing pedestrian facilities such as zebra crossings, crash barriers and guardrails, advance warning signs, junction improvements, solar lights/blinkers, road signs and implementing traffic control measures.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has identified black spots based on different parameters.
• Improving safety on National Highways is one of the topmost priorities of NHAI.
• Every year, around 1.5 lakh people died due to road accidents in India.
• As per the annual report 'Road Accidents in India — 2021', the maximum number of fatalities from road accidents occurs in Uttar Pradesh.

Topic: Committees/ Commissions/Taskforces

4. Government has formed an expert committee to recommend reforms in the Arbitration law.

• An expert committee under the chairmanship of T K Vishwanathan has been formed by the Department of legal affairs.
• This committee has been formed to recommend reforms to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
• The committee will have 15 other members. It will submit its recommendation in 30 days.
• As per the memorandum, the panel will examine the working of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
• It will suggest ways to limit the requirement of parties to seek judicial intervention by approaching the court.
• The panel will also recommend a framework of a model arbitration system and recommend a strategy for developing a competitive environment in the arbitration services market for domestic and international parties.
• It will also suggest statutory means to reduce reliance on judicial authorities/courts.
• It will also suggest principles for determining costs of arbitration, fees of arbitrators, and a charter of duties for the guidance of the arbitral tribunal.
• It will also examine the feasibility of enacting separate laws for domestic arbitration and international arbitration.
• It will suggest other measures including the need for new legislation on arbitration in simple language.

Topic: Sports

5. Egypt won the World Squash Championship by defeating Malaysia.

• Egypt won the World Squash Championship by beating Malaysia by 2-1 in the finals in Chennai.
• Malaysia won the Silver medal while third place was jointly shared by India and Japan.
• India was defeated by Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-final.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin presented the golden cup to the winning team.
• Eight countries took part in the World Squash Championship. It was started in Chennai on 13 June 2023.
• It was an international tournament in which national team squads has been represented by two men and two women players.
• The 2023 Chennai World Squash Championship was the fourth edition of the Squash World Cup.
• Counterdrop, doublehit, hot ball, nick, etc. are terms related to squash.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

6. National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023 report has been released by Vivek Johri, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

• The aim of the Time Release Study is to present a quantitative measure of the cargo release time.
• NTRS 2023 presents port-category wise average release time for the current year on the basis of the sample period of January 1-7, 2023.
• NTRS 2023 assesses the progress towards the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan targets.
• It identifies the impact of various trade facilitative initiatives, notably “Path to Promptness”.
• It identifies the challenges to the more expeditious reduction in release time.
• Seaports, air cargo complexes (ACCs), inland container depots (ICDs) and integrated check posts (ICPs) are included in the study.
• They account for 80% of bills of entry and 70% of shipping bills filed in the country.
• The average import release time has continued to improve.
• A 20% reduction has been achieved in release time for ICDs in 2023 over 2022.
• An 11% reduction has been achieved in release time for ACCs in 2023 over 2022.
• A 9% reduction has been achieved in release time for seaports in 2023 over 2022.
• In absolute terms, the import release time for seaports and ICDs is 85:42 hrs and 71:46 hrs, respectively.
• In absolute terms, the import release time for ACC and ICPs is 44:16 hrs and 31:47 hrs, respectively.
• National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 2020-2023 release time target has been achieved for almost all the port categories.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Sports

7. India’s first-ever Women’s Kabaddi League started in Dubai on June 16.

• This event marks the first time women kabaddi players from across India have the opportunity to show their skills on a global stage.
• The league consists of eight teams and total 96 players. Each team represents Indian states.
• The teams are named after various states. The names of the teams are the Delhi Dynamites, Gujarat Angels, Great Marathas, Haryana Hustlers, Punjab Panthers, Rajasthan Riders, Uma Kolkata, and Bengaluru Hawks.
• The winning team will get a prize of about half a million dirhams (equivalent to 1 crore INR).
• Bollywood actor Govinda was present during the opening ceremony of the IPL-style women’s kabaddi league.
• APS Sports is the primary organizer of the Women’s Kabaddi League.
• The Women’s Kabaddi League will continue for 12 days from June 16 to June 27 at the Shabab Al Ahli Sports Club in Dubai.
• Pradeep Kumar Nehra is the director of the Women’s Kabaddi League.

Topic: National News

8. Thirty-six percent growth has been recorded in the civil aviation sector from January to May 2023.

• As per traffic data from different domestic airlines, the passenger count increased to over 636 lakh from January to May 2023.
• This reflects an annual growth rate of over 36% compared to the corresponding period of last year.
• In May 2022, the passenger count was over 114 lakh. In May 2023, the passenger count increased to over 132 lakh.
• Passenger count registered a month-on-month growth of 15.24%.
• The overall passenger number in May 2023 increased by 3.26 lakhs as compared to April 2023.
• The number of passenger-related complaints decreased in May 2023 compared to May 2019.

Topic: Sports

9. India has won the 2023 Intercontinental Cup football tournament.

• On 18 June, Indian Men's Senior Football Team defeated Lebanon 2-0 in the final at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
• In the 46th minute of the second half, Indian captain Sunil Chhetri scored a goal to put India ahead 1-0.
• Lallianzuala Chhangte scored the second goal in the 65th minute to give the country an unassailable 2-0 lead.
• This is India's second title in the tournament, after their victory in the inaugural edition in 2018.
• North Korea won the second edition of tournament in 2019.
• This was Chhetri's 87th international goal in 137 matches.
• Chhetri remains the third-highest goalscorer among active players in international football, behind only Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi.
• It was the third edition of the Intercontinental Cup, which was held from 9 to 18 June 2023. Four countries had taken part in the tournament.
• It was launched in 2018 as a replacement for the Nehru Cup.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Indian Economy

10. An increase of 12.73% was registered in the gross collection of direct taxes in the financial year 2023-24.

• In the financial year 2023-24, the figures of direct tax collection up to 17 June showed that the net collection has been Rs 3,79,760 crore.
• It was Rs 3,41,568 crore in the same period of the previous financial year i.e. FY 2022-23, which shows an increase of 11.18%.
• Net direct tax collection (up to June 17) of Rs 3,79,760 crore includes Corporation Tax (CIT) of Rs 1,56,949 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) of Rs 2,22,196 crore including Securities Transaction Tax (STT) .
• The gross collection of direct taxes (before adjustment of refunds) in the financial year 2023-24 stood at Rs 4,19,338 crore as compared to Rs 3,71,982 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
• This shows an increase of 12.73% over the collection in FY 2022-23.
• The gross collection of Rs 4,19,338 crore includes Corporation Tax (CIT) of Rs 1,87,311 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) of Rs 2,31,391 crore including Securities Transaction Tax (STT).
• In the first quarter of the financial year 2023-24, till June 17, the advance tax collection was Rs 1,16,776 crore.
• While the advance tax collection in the same period of the immediately preceding financial year i.e. 2022-23 was Rs 1,02,707 crore, which shows an increase of 13.70%.
• Advance tax collection of Rs 1,16,776 crore till June 17 includes corporation tax (CIT) of Rs 92,784 crore and personal income tax (PIT) of Rs 23,991 crore.
• Refunds worth Rs 39,578 crore have also been issued in FY 2023-24 till June 17, which is 30.13% higher than refunds of Rs 30,414 crore issued during the same period in the previous FY 2022-23.

Topic: Personality in News

11. Glenda Jackson, a two-time Academy award-winning performer, died at 87.

• She had also a second career in politics as a British lawmaker.
• Recently, she completed filming The Great Escaper, in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.
• Jackson was born in 1936 in Birkenhead, North West England.
• She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
• She became one of the biggest British stars of the 1960s and '70s, and won two Academy Awards for Women in Love in 1971 and A Touch of Class in 1974.
• She then went into politics and won election to Parliament in 1992.
• She spent 23 years as a Labour Party lawmaker, serving as a minister for transport in prime minister Tony Blair's first government in 1997.
• In 2015, Jackson returned to acting after leaving Parliament.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. Fourth National Water Awards presented by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in New Delhi on June 17.

• A total of 41 winners were announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti covering 11 categories including joint winners for the National Water Awards, 2022.
• First prize in the best state category has been awarded to Madhya Pradesh. The second prize went to Odisha and third prize was jointly awarded to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
• The award in the best district category was given to Ganjam district of Odisha. 2nd prize went to Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu and 3rd prize was given to Adilabad District, Telangana. 
• Jagannathapuram Gram Panchayat in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana was awarded the Best Gram Panchayat Award.
• The 2nd prize went jointly to Kadavur Village Panchayat, Karur district, Tamil Nadu and Manickal Village Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala while 3rd prize was given jointly to Kadegaon Village Panchayat, Jalna district, Maharashtra and Mawkyrdep Village Panchayat, Bhoi Rymbong Block, Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya.
• The Award for the Best Urban Local Body was conferred on Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, the 2nd prize went to Indore Municipal Corporation, Madhya Pradesh while 3rd prize was given jointly to Surat Municipal Corporation, Gujarat and Malkapur Municipal Council, Maharashtra.
• The Award for the Best Media was conferred on Advance Water Digest Private Limited Gurugram, Haryana.
• The Award for the Best Institution for Campus usage was conferred on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Award for the Best Industry was conferred on Barauni Thermal Power Station, Begusarai, Bihar.
• The Award for the Best NGO was conferred on Arpan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, Rajasthan.
• The Award for the Best Water User Association was conferred on the Sanjeevani Piyat Sahkari Mandli Ltd, Narmada, Gujarat.
• The Award for the Best Industry for CSR Activities was conferred on HCL Technologies Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• Each awardee was awarded a citation and a trophy as well as a cash prize.
• As part of the ongoing nationwide campaign to realize the government's vision of a water-rich India, the award focuses on encouraging the good work and efforts made by various individuals and organizations.
• It seeks to create awareness among people about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best water use practices.
• The Vice President said that to revive the country's ancient water harvesting systems like ponds, there is a need to adopt the mantra of three Rs- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• About 56 thousand Amrit Sarovars have been built in the country and almost the same number of Amrit Sarovars are under construction.

Topic: International News

13. Japan raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 years.

• The lawmakers of Japan have passed legislation to raise the age of consent from 13 to 16 years. Japan had the lowest age of consent in the world.
• Below the age of consent, sexual activity is considered statutory rape. It is 16 years in Britain, 15 years in France, and 14 years in Germany and China.
• The bill that has been passed comprises a list of examples under which rape prosecutions can be made.
• These include victims being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, frightened, and perpetrators taking advantage of social status.
• This is the first time Japan has changed its age of consent since its enactment in 1907.
• The new law has expanded the definition of rape and emphasized on the concept of consent.
• The new law replaced the word “forcible sexual intercourse” with “non-consensual sexual intercourse”.
• Under the new law, protections for minors have been expanded.
• It also made easier to prosecute people accused of taking or distributing photos of a sexual nature without consent.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

14. Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey launched “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App" in Mussorie, Uttarakhand.

• “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App" has been developed by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL).
• Its main aim is to bring transformation in the Indian dairy industry by addressing key challenges of the milk collection process.
• It will also help in improving the quality of milk and foster transparency among stakeholders.
• This app is a step towards government commitment of digitalization and facilitates Direct Beneficiary Transfer to milk producers.
• It will improve operations across all partnerships including milk producers, milk co-operative societies, milk organizations and state federations.
• Milk Collection Partner Mobile App will provide information to milk producers in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu and other languages.
• REIL has developed a comprehensive cloud-based solution. It will help in fullfiling critical needs for advancements in the dairy industry.