Current Affairs – April 14 2023
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Current Affairs – April 14 2023
1. Ambedkar Jayanti 2023: Commemorating 132nd Birthday of the Father of the Indian Constitution
Respectfully known as ‘Babasaheb’, April 14, 2023, marks the 132nd Birthday of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the immortal leader of the Indian Constituent Assembly. With a sophisticated personality, he led a variety of social reforms across different cultures.
Dr. B R Ambedkar has played a major role in the full-fledged development of India. He was India’s first Law and Justice Minister and is still widely known as a revolutionary figure for Dalit and Women classes.
Strong Voice for ‘Dalit and Women’
Adored by all, Dr. Ambedkar freed everybody from the despotism and brutality of society. He changed the way of the world and elevated the afflicted classes such as women and all those considered ‘untouchables’ or lower than what was made as a convention.
2. Philippines and US launch largest joint military exercises to counter China
The Philippines and the United States have launched their largest-ever joint military exercises, called Balikatan, involving nearly 18,000 troops to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The annual drills, which include a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea, are being held for the first time under President Ferdinand Marcos, who seeks to strengthen ties with the US. The maneuvers include military helicopters landing on the Philippine island of Luzon and the retaking of an island by amphibious forces.
3. Balikatan drills aimed at protecting Philippine sovereignty
Philippine exercises spokesman Colonel Michael Logico said the drills were aimed at protecting the country’s sovereign territory. The exercise features troops staging an amphibious landing on Palawan, the closest Philippine landmass to the Spratly Islands, where China and the Philippines have rival claims.
4. Minister Rupala to launch “Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)”
On April 14th, 2023, Shri Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launched two significant initiatives: the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) and the Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) project, which is funded by the World Bank.
The launch event will take place at the India Habitat Center in New Delhi and will be held under the National One Health Mission.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has partnered with the World Bank on a collaborative project called the Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH), which aims to establish an ecosystem for better animal health management through the One Health approach.
5. Turkey’s First Aircraft Carrier to Host World’s First Mainly Unmanned Air Wing
The Turkish Navy has received the TCG Anadolu, its first aircraft carrier, which is expected to house the world’s first air wing made primarily of unmanned aircraft.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the vessel would host many manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, with the TB3 from the Bayraktar family being the latest prototype tested on the carrier’s flight deck.
The TB3 is a naval drone with foldable wings designed for ship decks and short runways, while its line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications capabilities allow it to be operated from far away locations. The TCG Anadolu is based on Spain’s flagship, the Juan Carlos I, with a displacement of 27,436 tons and a top speed of about 21 knots.
6. Ratnakar Patnaik appointed as new Chief Investment Officer of LIC
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has announced the appointment of Ratnakar Patnaik as the new Chief Investment Officer, replacing PR Mishra, who stepped down from the role on April 10.
Additionally, PC Paikray has been named the new Chief Risk Officer, taking over from Tablesh Pandey on the same date. Patnaik, who has 32 years of experience in the industry, began his career at LIC as a Direct Recruit Officer in September 1990. This information was disclosed in a filing by the insurer.
7. Kolkata Metro becomes India’s first metro train to run under river
Kolkata Metro has achieved a significant milestone as it became the first metro rail in India to complete an under-river journey. The metro rakes passed through an underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly river, with the general manager, P Uday Kumar Reddy, traveling from Mahakaran to Howrah Maidan station in rake No. MR-612 at 11:55 am.
Senior officers, including the Additional General Manager and MD of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL), H N Jaiswal, also accompanied him during the historic journey.
After reaching the Howrah station, Reddy performed a puja, and rake No MR- 613 was also taken to the Howrah Maidan station. Flowers were sprinkled and coconuts were broken to celebrate this achievement.
About the metro:
The Kolkata Metro is set to cover the 520-meter distance under the Hooghly river in just 45 seconds. The tunnel, which is 32 meters beneath the water level, is expected to begin trial runs on the 4.8-km underground section from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade soon. The four stations on this stretch include Esplanade, Mahakaran, Howrah, and Howrah Maidan.
8. Kumar Mangalam Birla received AIMA’s ‘Business Leader of the Decade’ award’
At the 13th Managing India Awards ceremony hosted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, was presented with the ‘Business Leader of the Decade Award’ for his contributions to the Indian industry in the last ten years.
Birla was recognized for his leadership in consolidating and streamlining the operations of the diversified group. The ‘AIMA-JRD Tata Corporate Leadership’ award was given to T V Narendran, Chairman of Tata Steel, while ABB India, a leading engineering services company, won the ‘MNC in India of the Year’ award.
The ceremony held in New Delhi also honored several other leaders and institutions in the industry.
9. Ghana becomes first country to approve Oxford malaria vaccine for children
Ghana has made history by becoming the first country to approve a highly effective malaria vaccine developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in the UK. The vaccine, called R21/Matrix-M, has exceeded the World Health Organization’s target of 75% efficacy, making it a significant milestone in the fight against malaria.
10. World Chagas Disease Day 2023 is observed on 14th April
Every year on April 14th, World Chagas Disease Day is observed to raise awareness about a life-threatening illness that can cause severe heart and digestive problems. The disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, silent disease, or silenced disease, is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which is transmitted to humans by the triatomine bug, commonly known as the kissing bug.
The disease primarily affects individuals living in rural areas with poor hygiene conditions, particularly those who are impoverished. It is more common in regions like Central America, Mexico, and South America.
World Chagas Disease Day 2023: Theme
The theme for 2023 is Time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care, so that universal care and surveillance start at the most decentralized level of the health system.
11. UK becomes 1st nation in Europe to approve hands-free driving tech
Ford’s BlueCruise technology which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel while driving has received approval in the UK. With this, Britain has become the first nation in Europe to approve of this kind of technology. Currently available in Ford’s 2023 Mustang Mach-E, the technology can control the car but will also ensure that the driver remains alert.