Daily Current Affairs and GK | 23 March 2023

Topic: Sports

1. For the first time a hockey stadium has been named after a woman hockey player.

• Rani Rampal becomes the first women's hockey player to have a stadium named after.
• ​The Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium as 'Rani's Girls Hockey Turf'. ​
• Earlier this year, Rani Rampal made a comeback to the Indian team during the tour of South Africa.
• Rani Rampal is the former captain of the Indian women's hockey team.
• Under his leadership, the team reached the final of hockey tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.
• Important hockey stadiums in India:

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

2. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released “Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report”.

• This report has highlighted the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable people and ecosystems of the world.
• This report states that human activities are the main causes of global warming.
• Unsustainable energy use, land use, land-use changes, and consumption patterns contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The report highlights the progress made in adaptation' planning and implementation across all sectors.
• The report has warned that some ecosystems and regions have already reached hard and soft adaptation limits.
• The report warned that continuous greenhouse gas emissions will increase global warming. The temperature can rise to 2°C in the long term.
• The report states that urgent and unprecedented actions are required to limit global warming to 1.5°C and to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.
• It can prevent the worst effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future for all.
• The report also highlights that there is a need to increase investment in the research and development of new technologies and to increase adaptation measures to protect the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
• India has submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy to the UNFCCC at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27).

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. 26th edition of 'Elevate' held in Dubai on 21st March.

• On 22 March, the sixth pitching session of the second season of Elevate concluded in Dubai.
• Six Indian startups participated in the event, and an unprecedented registration of 180 investors.
• The six startups that participated in the Elevate session were winners of the National Startup Awards 2022.
• These six startups that participated in ‘Elevate’ are- Film Board Movie Technologies inc, Trascender Services Pvt Ltd, Cogos Technologies Pvt Ltd, Changejar Technologies Pvt Ltd, Makerinme Technologies Pvt Ltd, Revamp Moto Pvt Ltd.
• They pitched their innovative ideas in-front of plausible investors looking for additional rounds of funding.
• Ms. Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder, Indian Angel Network (IAN), was a special guest at Session VI of Season II.
• She is a member of the Government's NEAC, the National Expert Advisory Committee on Innovation, Incubation and Technology Entrepreneurship.
• Consulate General of India in Dubai organized Elevate (a pitching series) which provides a platform for startups to connect with investors and global counterparts.
• The first season of Elevate started at the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and consisted of twenty sessions.
• In May 2022, the second season started, and this episode marks the sixth installment of the season.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Committees/Commissions/Taskforces

4. Scientific Committee (SC) and Scientific Panels (SP) of the FSSAI have been reconstituted.

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reconstituted its Scientific Panels (SPs).
• About 200 scientific experts from ICMR, CSIR, ICAR, NIFTEM, IIT and various other institutions working in the field of food safety and nutrition have been associated with it.
• These scientists will work with FSSAI for the next three years and give suggestions to FSSAI on the scientific aspects of food safety.
• This will pave the way for notifying further food standards and regulations.
• Under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, FSSAI was established to lay down science-based standards of food items to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption in the country.
• Standards are developed by a Scientific Committee and 21 Scientific Panels, which are the principal scientific arms of the Food Authority.
• FSSAI has reconstituted 21 Scientific Panels consisting of 9 members each on 24 February 2023.
• On the same day, the Scientific Committee has also been formed, which includes the chairpersons of 21 scientific panels and 6 independent members.  
• Both are effective from 1 March 2023.
• The Food Authority has constituted Scientific Panels under section 13 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) for formulation of standards and providing scientific advice/ information to the Food Authority as and when required.
• The Food Authority has constituted a Scientific Committee (SC) under section 14 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
• It consists of six independent experts (nominated by the Food Authority, not belonging to any SP) and chairpersons of all SPs as members. Presently the number of its members is 27.
• The SC, as a statutory body, act as a link between the SP and the Food Authority.
• The Scientific Committee primarily studies the recommendations of each panel and makes further recommendations for approval to the Food Authority. It is the apex body to give scientific opinion to the Food Authority.
• At the time of establishment of FSSAI, the Food Authority constituted only 8 scientific panels.
• Presently there are total 21 SPs which include 11 vertical and 10 horizontal panels.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. Vedic Heritage Portal inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on 23 March.

• The objective of this portal is to assist researchers in understanding Vedic knowledge traditions and to provide general information about ancient texts to the general public.
• The Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) will operate the portal.
• The portal has been launched during the week-long IGNCA foundation day celebrations.
• Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi said that the portal will not only develop the understanding of Vedic knowledge traditions among the researchers but also the common people will get information about the Vedas.
• He said that the Vedas and the Indian knowledge system are not static but contemporary.
• The IGNCA is working on a "Vrihattar Bharat" project in which details of cultural relations between India and 40 other countries are being compiled.
• The project also includes South-East Asian countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia.

Topic: Important Days

6. Martyrdom Day/ Shaheed Diwas 2023: 23 March

• Martyrdom Day is observed every year on March 23 to honor the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
• On March 23, 1931, they were hanged by the British rulers for his revolutionary activities against the British rule.
• Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged on the charge of assassinating British officer John Saunders in 1928.
• In protest against the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Disputes Bill, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly on 8 April 1929.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: National News

7. No organisation should be permitted to establish more than six Community Radio Stations throughout the country.

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made this recommendation recently.
• TRAI has also recommended that if any organisation is seeking to set up many stations, it should submit an undertaking confirming that programs will be made locally.
• The programs should also not be sent from other Community Radio Stations.
• Another recommendation made by TRAI is that the initial period of permission should be increased from 5 years to 10 years, at a time.
• TRAI has also recommended increase in the duration of an advertisement on a Community Radio Stations from 7 minutes per hour to 12 minutes per hour.
• Budgetary support should be provided to all the universities of Central and State Governments to establish and operate Community Radio Stations.
• All the processes for granting Community Radio Stations should be made online through a single window system.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. An MoU has been signed between Indian Army and National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited.

• The MoU is for installation of green hydrogen based Micro Grid Power Plant project.
• The project will be installed in the forward areas along the Northern borders which are not connected by National and State Grid.
• Indian Army is providing land on lease for 25 years. It has committed to purchase generated power through a Power Purchase Agreement.
• NTPC will install the proposed project on Build, Own and Operate Models at a jointly identified location in Eastern Ladakh.
• Under the project, a Solar Power Plant would be set up foe hydrolysis of water to produce hydrogen.
• NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of the NTPC Limited. It was formed on 7th October 2020. 

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

9. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired 1st general body meeting of NCSCM.

• 1st General Body meeting of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, (NCSCM) was held in Delhi.
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that the government has accorded more importance to Blue Economy with a focus on sustainable and climate-resilient coastal infrastructure and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
• He also directed NCSCM to contribute to the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) mission.
• MISHTI mission was launched for mangrove conservation with a focus to increase the income of coastal communities.
• National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM):
  • It was established in February 2011 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • It is a research institution for the protection, conservation, restoration, management of coasts.
  • The main aim of NCSCM is to promote sustainable coasts through increased partnerships and conservation practices.

Topic: State News/ Rajasthan

10. Rajasthan Assembly passed the Right to Health Bill.

• The Rajasthan legislative assembly passed the Rajasthan Right to Health (RTH) Bill 2022.
• Rajasthan is the first state in India to pass such kind of bill.
• As per the bill, the people of Rajasthan will be entitled to emergency care in private hospitals without any pre-payment.
• It will also give residents the right to avail of free Out Patient Department (OPD) services and In-Patient Department (IPD) services at all public health facilities.
• The Bill was tabled in the Assembly in September last year but after objections by the opposition BJP and the doctors, it was sent to the Select Committee.
• The bill has made it mandatory for hospitals to provide treatment in emergency cases without waiting for medico-legal formalities and to give medicines and transport facilities without charging money.
• If a patient does not pay the charges then the state government will reimburse the fee and charges to the hospital.
• Any person who contravenes any provision of this act will be liable for a fine of up to ₹10,000 for the first contravention, and up to ₹20,000 for the subsequent contraventions.
• Rajasthan Health minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that the government is committed to providing better healthcare facilities to the people of the state.
• The Rajasthan government has allocated 7% of the budget to the health sector.
• Private hospital owners and doctors from Rajasthan are protesting against this bill and demanding the withdrawal of Bill.

Topic: Space and IT

11. OneWeb India-2 mission will be launched by ISRO.

• On March 26, One Web India-2 mission will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Satish Dhawan Space Center Sriharikota.
• ISRO will launch 72 satellites of UK-based Network Access Associates Limited and place them in low-Earth orbit under a commercial agreement with New Space India Limited.
• NewSpace India Limited is the commercial arm of ISRO. Last year on October 23, 36 satellites were launched by LVM3M2 launch vehicle.
• Under the second mission, on March 26, 36 satellites weighing about 5805 kilograms will be installed in a 450 kilometer circular low-earth orbit by the LVM3 M3 launch vehicle.
• LVM3 has had five successful missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
• Satellites provide space broadband internet service to different parts of the world.
• After the launch, Access Associates Limited will have more than six hundred satellites in space, which will provide internet from space service to various countries.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Art and Culture

12. New Year Ugaadi festival celebrated in Telangana.

• On 22 March, Telugu speaking people across the world celebrated the festival of Ugadi with traditional fervor and gaiety to mark the Telugu New Year.
• To mark the beginning of the Hindu Lunar calendar, this festival is celebrated across Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar.
• People in rural and urban areas of Telangana celebrate Sri 'Shobhakrithu Nama Ugadi' according to the Telugu calendar.
• Gudi Padwa, also known as Samvatsar Padvo, is a Marathi new year celebrated by Maharashtrians and Konkanis people all over India.
• Gudi Padwa falls on the day Chaitra Navratri starts.
• This year, the festival has been celebrated on March 22 in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, Gudi Padwa has a special significance.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: State News/ Delhi

13. Delhi government presented ₹78,800 crore budget for the financial year 2023-24.

• The Delhi finance minister Kailash Gahlot presented ₹78,800 crore budget estimates for the financial year 2023-24.
• It is the 9th consecutive budget of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
• The theme of this year’s budget is “Saaf Sundar aur Aadhunik Dilli”.
• Out of the ₹78,800 crores, revenue expenditure will be Rs 56,983 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 21,817 crore.
• In the budget, Rs 3,348 crore has been allocated to the power department.
• 25% of Delhi's annual electricity demand is to be met by solar power by 2025.
• The per capita income of Delhi is the third highest in the country. The per capita income at current prices has grown by 14.18%.
• Delhi's Per Capita Income is expected to be Rs 4,44,768 in 2022-23 as compared to Rs 3,91,000 in 2021-22.
• The budget is designed for public welfare and is committed to zero tolerance for corruption.
• Delhi Govt announced Mohalla Bus Yojana to provide last mile connectivity.
• Local bodies will get financial assistance of Rs 8,241 crore in the financial year 2023-24.
• The government has allocated Rs 722 Cr for new flyover projects and Rs 320 cr for double-decker flyovers.
• 28 new flyovers, elevated roads, and bridges will be constructed in Delhi.
• Sewage treatment capacity to be increased by 41%.Yamuna rejuvenation and a 6-point action plan will be implemented.
• Delhi government allocates Rs 16,575 crore for education and Rs 9,742 cr for health.
• App-based premium bus aggregator scheme will be launched soon.
• Delhi government has allocated Rs 4,744 crore budget for social security with a proposal of Rs 200 crore for pension.  
• Water availability in Delhi will be increased from 995 million gallons per day to 1,240 MGD by March 2025.

Topic: Personality in News

14. Ranveer Singh selected as India's Most Valuable Celebrity of 2022.

• According to the report, titled “Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2022: Beyond the Mainstream” Actor Ranveer Singh has become the ‘Most valued celebrity of 2022’,
• He with a brand value of $181.7 million surpassed cricketer Virat Kohli.
• Kohli is in second position with a brand value of $176.9 million.
• Actor Akshay Kumar is in the third position with a brand value of $153.6 million.
• Alia Bhatt retained the fourth position and is the most valued female celebrity in India.
• Deepika Padukone with a brand valuation of $82.9 million is on the fifth spot.
• The overall brand value of the top 25 celebrities in 2022 is estimated at $1.6 billion.
• For the first time, South Indian stars Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna got a place in the top 25 celebrities of India.