Daily Current Affairs and GK | 8 September 2023

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

1. On September 8, the Ayodhya Jatayu cruise service in Saryu started.

• The cruise service will run from Guptar Ghat to Naya Ghat.
• The onboard passengers on the cruise will get a glimpse of the ancient temples and ghats in Ayodhya.
• On the cruise, nearly 70 to 100 passengers can be accommodated at a time.
• On September 5, CM Yogi Adityanath had a meeting with PM Modi regarding the development of Ayodhya and the inauguration of Ram temple.
• Many development projects are going on in Ayodhya amidst the construction of Ram temple.
• During the meeting, a presentation was given to the PM on the proposed museum in Ayodhya, which will showcase the history of famous temples across the country.
• The museum will be built on a 10-acre plot and some plots of land have been identified along the Saryu River for the project.

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

2. An MoU signed between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara of Indian Railways and Airbus.

• On 7 September, the MoU was signed to further strengthen the Indian aviation sector in New Delhi.
• The MoU was signed between Mr. Rémi Maillard President of Airbus in India and South Asia and Vice-Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Prof. Manoj Choudhary.
• Recently, Airbus and Tata announced a partnership to design, innovate, manufacture, and develop the C-295 aircraft in India in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• Airbus is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft and a major manufacturer of helicopters, defense, and space equipment.
• It will enable industry-academia partnerships, co-development, and co-delivery of sector-relevant skill courses and programs for regular students and working professionals, internships and placements for students, and scholarship programs.
• It is expected that Airbus will provide job opportunities to 15,000 students in its Indian operations.
• Gati Shakti University (GSV) Vadodara:
  • In 2022, GSV was established by an Act of Parliament.
  • It was established to produce best-in-class manpower and talent for the entire transportation and logistics sectors.
  • This central university is sponsored by the Ministry of Railways.
  • Shri Ashwini Vaishnav is its first Chancellor.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

3. On 7 September, the Global FinTech Fest 2023 addressed by MoS Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad in Mumbai.

• He said that the Central Government is making efforts to make better use of FinTech to take various government schemes to the poor people in rural areas.
• The Global Fintech Fest 2023 was organized by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Payments Council of India (PCI), and FinTech Convergence Council (FCC) from 5 to 7 September.
• He stated that the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) trinity is the key enabler of the transformed and well-developed digital landscape of India.
• Jan Dhan Yojana has benefited over 50 crore people, and over 2 lakh crore rupees have been deposited by Jan Dhan account holders in these accounts.
• So far, India has issued 1.35 billion Aadhaar identities and has around 800 million active mobile users.
• FinTech is proving to be very useful in taking banking to remote and tribal areas. Initiatives like micro-ATMs are an example of this.
• Digital payment aggregators play an important role in the implementation of DBT schemes, financial inclusion, and the spread of financial literacy.
• FinTech is also proving helpful in sending the amount of Kisan Samman Nidhi twice a year to the farmers' account through DBT.
• FinTech has also benefited 43 crore people from PM Mudra Yojana.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Personality in News

4. Noted Hindustani singer Malini Rajurkar passed away at the age of 82 on 6 September.

• She was an exponent of Gwalior gharana and a Sangeet Natak Akademi award, who died following age-related issues in Hydreabad.
• She had donated his body for medical studies, and it will be donated to Osmania Medical College.
• She was one of the foremost proponents of 'khayal' and 'tappa' genre.
• Rajurkar was born in 1941 in Ajmer, Rajasthan. She took music lessons from Ajmer Sangeet Mahavidyalaya under the guidance of Govindrao Rajurkar.
• She received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2001.
• Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khyal gharana in Indian classical music. It evolved during the time of the Mughal empire. Among the early masters were Naththan Khan, Naththan Pir Bakhsh and his grandsons Haddu, Hassu and Natthu Khan.
• Tansen, famous vocalist at the court of Akbar, came from Gwalior.

Topic: Important Days

5. International Literacy Day 2023: 8 September

• Every year on 8 September, International Literacy Day is observed.
• It is observed to raise awareness about literacy as a human right and to encourage the creation of a more literate society.
• The theme of the International Literacy Day 2023 is ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.
• On 26 October 1966, UNESCO declared September 8 as International Literacy Day. In 1967, first International Literacy Day was celebrated.
• This day was included under the UN’s program for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
• On 8 September, a conference was organized in person and online in Paris, France at the global level.
• According to UNESCO, at least 760 million youth and adults globally lacked basic literacy skills in 2020.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

6. PM Modi addressed the 20th ASEAN-India summit at Jakarta in Indonesia on 7th September 2023.

• He presented a 12-point proposal to strengthen India-ASEAN cooperation.
• He said the India-ASEAN partnership has reached the fourth decade.
• He said it is an honour for him to co-chair the Summit. PM Modi said ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East policy.
• He said along with history and geography, shared values, regional integration, and the shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world unite India and ASEAN.
• He announced to open Indian Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste.
• PM Modi also attended the 18th East Asia Summit.
• The 12-point proposal covers connectivity, digital transformation, trade and economic engagement, addressing contemporary challenges, people-to-people contacts and deepening strategic engagement.
• PM Modi proposed establishing multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor that links South-East Asia-India-West Asia-Europe.
• He announced the ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future.
• He invited ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. This is being established by WHO in India.
• PM Modi invited ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
• Two Joint Statements were adopted. One was on Maritime Cooperation and the other was on Food Security.

Topic: International News

7. North Korea’s first operational tactical nuclear attack submarine has been launched.

• North Korea has assigned it (submarine) to the fleet that patrols the water between the Korean peninsula and Japan.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the launch ceremony.
• Kim Jong Un said arming the navy with nuclear weapons was an urgent task.
• North Korea:
  • It is located in East Asia on the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
  • It shares its border with China, Russia, and South Korea.
  • Pyongyang is its capital and its currency is Korean People's won.
  • Kim Jong-un is the Supreme Leader of North Korea.

Topic: Important Days

8. World Physical Therapy Day: 08 September

• World Physical Therapy Day is celebrated every year on 8 September.
• The theme of World Physical Therapy Day 2023 is “Arthritis and the Role of Physiotherapists”.
• In 2023, World PT Day focuses on arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondylarthritis are two types of inflammatory arthritis that are being highlighted on this day.
• The 8 September was designated as World PT Day in 1996.
• This day was established by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.
• In 1813, the Swedish poet, Per Heinrich Ling introduced real physiotherapy to the world.

Topic: State News/ Karnataka

9. India's first-of-its-kind underground transformer inaugurated in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru.

• Claiming to be the first of its kind in India, a 500 kV underground distribution transformer has been installed by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESSCOM) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
• On September 5, the transformer was inaugurated by K. J. George, Minister of Energy.
• The transformer is placed 10 feet below the ground.
• The project is a result of an initiative to make footpaths safer for pedestrians.
• The total cost of the project was ₹1.97 crore of which Bescom's contribution was ₹1.33 crore.
• It includes installing a 500 KV dry type transformer, 8-way solid RMU, 5-way LT distribution panel, 2 KV UPS, 1 HP submersible water pump, lighting and air ventilation system, and temperature and humidity monitoring system.
• BBMP contributed ₹64 lakh for the civil work and the project was completed in 365 days.

Topic: Important Days

10. International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2023: 7 September

• Every year on 7 September, International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed.
• Its main aim is to strengthen international cooperation for improving air quality and reducing air pollution.
• The theme for the 4th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is "Together for Clean Air."
• This highlights the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility to overcome air pollution.
• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 19, 2019, to observe 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
• According to WHO, almost 99% of the global population breathes polluted air.
• According to a new study, more than 10 million people die from air pollution every year.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

11. Government signed a MoU with Adobe to help children in learning AI.

• Union Ministry of Education signed a pact with global software major company Adobe to help children learning Artificial Intelligence in classrooms by using the application Adobe Express.
• About 20 million students and 5,00,000 teachers by 2027 by using Adobe Express-based curriculum will get Training and certification in creativity and digital literacy.
• The partnership will help in creating a new standard and benchmark for students.
• Under the agreement, Adobe will provide free access to Adobe Express Premium to schools.
• Curriculum, training and certification based on Adobe Express tools and capabilities will be also implemented to empower students and educators.
• Students and educators will get knowledge of different topics covering creativity, generative AI, design, animation, video, and emerging technologies.
• Adobe:
  • It is an American software company.
  • Its headquarters is located in San Jose, California.
  • Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Acrobat Reader are some famous tools of Adobe.
  • Shantanu Narayen is the current CEO of Adobe.

Topic: State News/ Maharashtra

12. Maharashtra government approved a cyber-security project at Rs 837 crore.

• The Maharashtra cabinet has decided to implement a cyber-security project worth Rs 837 crore due to increasing cases of cybercrime in the state.
• Citizens could file complaints against cybercrime through a mobile app or portal.
• After the implementation of the project, citizens will be able to lodge complaints through a phone call.
• All complaints will be investigated with the help of advanced cyber technology.
• The project will be implemented in the State by the Special Inspector General of Police (Cyber).
• This project will include a Command and Control Centre, Technology Assisted Investigation, Center of Excellence, Cloud Based Data Centre, and Security Operation Centre.
• The project will facilitate a state-of-the-art citizen-centric platform for coordinating complainants and technology.
• All cyber police stations in all police commissioner and superintendent offices across the state will be linked with this platform.