Today's Current Affairs 12th March 2023

INTERNATONAL

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano erupts, covering villages in ash

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted today, spewing out smoke and ash that blanketed villages near the crater.  The volcano is located on Java Island, near Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta. The volcano’s last major eruption in 2010 had claimed more than 300 lives and forced the evacuation of some 280,000 people. Indonesia, which has nearly 130 active volcanoes, sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

Silicon Valley Bank collapse, causes shockwaves across world

The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in the United States has caused shockwaves around the world. California-based Silicon Valley Bank, the 16th largest bank in the US, was closed on Friday (March 10) by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation which later appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as its receiver.

From Californian winemakers to startups on the other side of the Atlantic, businesses are attempting to handle their accounts after their bank abruptly closed down Friday. According to reports, the financial crisis is causing anxiety for corporations as well as for all their employees whose paychecks can be affected by the commotion.

SpaceX Launches 40 OneWeb Satellites To Orbit From Florida

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched 40 OneWeb satellites to low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This was the penultimate mission to complete the first generation (Gen 1) low-Earth orbit satellite constellation of OneWeb, a London-based satellite communications company backed by Bharti Enterprises. OneWeb aims to enable global coverage in 2023, and its latest launch was the penultimate mission that would complete OneWeb's Gen 1 constellation to fulfil the goal. The launch of 40 satellites by SpaceX on March 9 was OneWeb's 17th mission to date. Later this month, OneWeb will launch more satellites with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and New Space India Limited (NSIL), in order to complete the UK-based company's global footprint of Gen 1 satellites. If the launch with ISRO and NSIL is successful, there will be 582 OneWeb satellites in orbit.

NATIOONAL

PM Modi Inaugurates Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his yet another visit to Karnataka on Sunday inaugurated the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway at Mandya. Besides inaugurating, the PM laid foundation stones for several key road projects too on Sunday at Mandya in Karnataka.

The 118-km long Bengaluru-Mysuru road project has been developed at a total cost of around Rs 8,480 crores. It will reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from around 3 hours to about 75 minutes and will act as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region,

He also laid the foundation stone for Mysuru-Kushalnagar 4-lane highway. Spread over 92 kilometres, the project will be developed at a cost of around Rs 4,130 crores and will help halve the travel time from about 5 to only 2.5 hours.

Divya Kala Mela showcasing products & craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs to open at Bhopal

Divya Kala Mela is being organised from 12 March, to showcase the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from across the country. Governor Mangubhai Patel and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virender Kumar and Minister of State Kumari Pratima Bhowmick will inaugurate the fair,

About 150 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from 21 states and union territories are participating in the Divya Kala Mela. Home decor, lifestyle, clothing, stationery, eco-friendly products, packaged food, toys, gifts, personal accessories, jewelry, bags, organic products, etc. will be available at the fair. There will also be cultural programs by Divyang and other artistes during the Mela. For the first time after Delhi and Mumbai, Divya Kala Mela is being organized in Madhya Pradesh.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates world's longest railway platform in Hubballi-Dharwad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday : 12 March inaugurated several development projects in Karnataka including the longest railway platform in the world in Hubballi-Dharwad. With the inauguration of the Hubballi railway platform, the city has registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest railway platform in the World at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station. The 1,507-metre-long platform has been built at a cost of about ₹20 crore

The Hubballi station is an important junction in Karnataka and a major hub of trade and commerce. It connects the railway lines towards Bengaluru (Davanagere side), Hosapete (Gadag side), and Vasco-Da-Gama/Belagavi (Londa side).

100 cities to bend-unbend for countdown to 9th International Day of Yoga

The Ministry of Ayush along with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) is organizing Yoga Mahotsav 2023 from 13th to 14th March 2023 at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium. There will also be workshops on 15th March 2023 at MDNIY. Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the Yoga Mahotsav 2023 and it will commemorate 100 days countdown to the 9th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2023.

ollowing the footprints, this year, Yoga Mahotsav-2023 is being organized to give a wider promotion and publicity to various dimensions of yoga and its utility.  Mass yoga demonstrations/sessions will take place in 100 places in Delhi NCR to celebrate the countdown and it will commence 100 Days, 100 cities, and 100 organizations activities across the nation.

SPORTS

Bangladesh’s historic T20 - series win against England

Bangladesh might have lost their proud unbeaten record in ODIs but they have exacted emphatic revenge over England in the shorter format, winning the second T20 by four wickets and the series with a game to spare. This is a curiously lopsided England side, light on batters and so overblessed with bowlers – so much so that the 19th over was also Chris Jordan’s first. Bangladesh started it needed 13 off 12 deliveries, and had the game wrapped up with seven to spare. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day Against Cyber Censorship

Every year on March 12th, World Day Against Cyber Censorship rallies support for an unrestricted Internet that is accessible to all. The day also draws attention to ways governments around the world censor free speech online. The Internet lets people around the world gain access to vast amounts of information. Not only can people get information on nearly any topic imaginable, but they can get it quickly, and usually for little cost. Most people who have access to the internet take it for granted. They might also take for granted the idea of sharing things with others over the worldwide web. Unfortunately, however, there are people in the world who want to restrict the internet. These people don’t want people to use their freedom of speech over the worldwide web.

Each year, this issue is becoming more of a problem. Just recently, Reporters Without Borders unveiled several digital predators of freedom. According to Reporters Without Borders, these digital predators represent a clear danger for freedom of opinion and expression, and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees this right. Digital predators harass people online, censor information, spread disinformation, and use the internet to spy.

Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal on his birth anniversary. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, he devoted himself to serving others and nurturing a society that is inclusive and just. The Prime Minister said, Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal undertook numerous efforts to empower the downtrodden as well. Mr Modi said, his thoughts will keep inspiring people across generations.

Ayya Vaikundar also known as Siva Narayanar or Vaikunda Swami is the first and the foremost Purna avatar of Eka-Paran as per Ayyavazhi Mythology. He was born to Lord Narayana and his consort Goddess Lakshmi at the Sea of Tiruchendur on the 20th of Masi, 1008 K.E.