Current Affairs – April 01 & 02 2023
Current Affairs – April 01 & 02 2023. Read and Download daily, monthly latest Current Affairs Daily Digest 2023 for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI etc,. Download month wise Current affairs 2023 PDF and Current affairs quiz PDF .
Current Affairs – April 01 & 02 2023
1. Defence Ministry’s Rs 5,400 crore Defence Contract
The Ministry of Defence of India has recently signed three defence contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) on March 29, 2023. The total cost of these three contracts is nearly Rs 5,400 crore. This decision was taken to support the modernization of India’s armed forces and make them more self-sufficient.
Project Akashteer
The first project contracted with BEL is Project Akashteer, which costs Rs 1,982 crore. This project’s goal is to empower the Indian Army’s Air Defence units with indigenous, state-of-the-art capabilities. The Indian Army will be the primary beneficiary of this project
GSAT 7B
The third project contracted by the Ministry of Defence is an advanced Communication Satellite, named GSAT 7B. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has been contracted for this project, which costs Rs 2,963 crore.
2. IMF’s $15.6 Billion Loan For Ukraine
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a loan program worth $15.6 billion for Ukraine as part of a larger $115 billion package to aid its war-torn economy.
With one-third of Ukraine’s population displaced, the IMF’s support comes as a crucial aid in reconstructing the country’s economy. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the IMF for the support and called it an essential help in the fight against Russian aggression.
Two-Phase Loan Program for Ukraine
The IMF’s loan program for Ukraine will span four years and run in two phases. The first phase aims to close Ukraine’s massive budget deficit and stabilize disinflation.
The IMF’s support will ease the pressure on government spending by providing immediate financial assistance of $2.7 billion. Ukraine is required to focus on financial stability and undertake ambitious structural reforms, particularly in the energy sector.
3. Airtel-IPPB WhatsApp Banking Services
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and Bharti Airtel have partnered to launch banking services through WhatsApp for their customers in India. This joint statement was released on March 31st, 2023.
In this article, we will explore what IPPB is, what services customers can avail through WhatsApp banking, and what the partnership with Bharti Airtel means for customers.
What is IPPB?
IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) is a division of India Post that comes under the aegis of the Department of Post, which comes under the Union Ministry of Communications. It was opened in 2018 and has more than 6 crore customers as of January 2022.
IPPB Partnership with Bharti Airtel
The partnership between IPPB and Bharti Airtel will enable IPPB customers to connect with the bank on WhatsApp and easily avail of a range of banking services. The partnership is aimed at driving digital and financial inclusion in India.
4. Richard Verma confirmed as Deputy Secretary of United State
Richard Verma, an Indian-American lawyer, diplomat, and executive, has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources by the US Senate. This role is regarded as the State Department’s CEO and is a powerful position in the US government. Verma, aged 54, was confirmed with a 67-26 vote.
Awards and accolades received by Verma
Verma received several accolades throughout his career. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal from the Department of State, the International Affairs Fellowship from the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Air Force.
5. Rajib K Mishra takes over as CMD of PTC India
Rajib Kumar Mishra, who is currently the acting chairman of PTC India or formerly Power Trading Corporation of India Limited, has been given a permanent role in the company, despite facing regulatory issues related to its subsidiary, PTC India Financial Services Ltd.
About the Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC):
Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC) is a public sector undertaking established in 1999 under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Its primary business is to trade electricity across different regions of India.
6. Novelist and short story writer Sarah Thomas passes away
Sarah Thomas, a renowned short story writer and novelist, passed away at the age of 89. She authored 17 novels and over 100 short stories, receiving several accolades such as the Kerala Sahitya Academy award.
Her debut novel, “Jeevitham Enna Nathi,” marked the beginning of her writing career. One of her notable works, “Muripadukal,” was adapted into a film titled “Manimuzhakkam” by director PA Bakker. Additionally, her novels Asthamayam, Pavizhamuthu, and Archana were also adapted into movies.
7. Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra tea gets European GI tag
The European Commission (EC) has awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status to Kangra tea, a unique variety of tea grown in the Kangra district of India’s Himachal Pradesh.
The PGI will be effective from April 11, 2023, as per the notification issued by the EC on March 22.
This move comes at a time when the EC has been delaying granting a similar status to Basmati rice, for which India applied in 2018. However, the EU wants India and Pakistan to hold discussions so that Basmati rice from Pakistan can also be recognized, but Pakistan is currently not meeting the necessary requirements for the recognition.
8. Haryana becomes first state in India to have 100% electrified railway network
In March 2023, the railway network in the state of Haryana in India was completely electrified by Indian Railways, making it the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification of its railway network.
As per the latest updates, the Broad Gauge routes of seven zonal railways in India have achieved the 100% electrification target.
These railways are East Coast Railway (ECoR), North Central Railway (NCR), North Eastern Railway (NER), Eastern Railway (ER), South Eastern Railway (SER), West Central Railway (WCR), and Central Railway (CR).
9. Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval
Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has announced that Finland has become the 31st member of the alliance, thanks to Turkey’s unanimous vote.
Despite Russia’s opposition to Finland’s membership, Turkey’s approval has allowed the extension of NATO. Finland shares a long border of over 1,300 kilometers with Russia, and its decision to join NATO was prompted by security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden’s application to join NATO has been declined by Turkey and Hungary.
What is NATO and its History?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949.
The founding members of NATO were the United States, Canada, and ten European nations including Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Since then, the alliance has expanded to include 31 member countries.
10. World Autism Awareness Day 2023 is observed on April 02
Every year on April 2, there is a celebration of World Autism Awareness Day to increase knowledge about the disorder and encourage acceptance, comprehension, and integration of those who experience it. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s capacity for social contact and communication.
WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 2023: THEME
The topic for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day is ‘Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All’.
WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 2023: HISTORY
The United Nations General Assembly marked World Autism Awareness Day for the first time on April 2, 2008. The purpose of the day was to increase understanding of autism, enhance the quality of life for those who have it, and promote early detection and assistance.
