Today's Current Affairs 12th May 2023

NATIONAL

PM Modi launches development projects worth Rs 4400 crore in Gujarat

PM Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated several projects to the nation worth around Rs 4400 crores in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today, 12th May. The projects that were inaugurated included development initiatives worth Rs. 2450 in Urban Development Department, Water Supply Department, Road and Transport Department and Mines and Minerals Department. Besides, PMAY projects (both rural and urban) worth Rs. 1950 crores, were also inaugurated. PM Modi also handed over keys to beneficiaries of the scheme for about 19,000 houses built under the Gruh Pravesh scheme, and interacted with them via video link.

Details of the Projects- The inaugurated projects include the expansion of multi-village drinking water supply schemes in Banaskantha district, the construction of a river overbridge in Ahmedabad, the establishment of a drainage collection network at Naroda GIDC, and sewage treatment plants in Mehsana and Ahmedabad, as well as an auditorium in Dahegam, among others.

The foundation stone will be laid for other projects such as bulk pipeline projects in Junagadh district, augmentation of water supply schemes in Gandhinagar district, the construction of flyover bridges, a new water distribution station, and various town planning roads, among others.

Varanasi’s LBSI airport becomes first in country to have a reading Lounge

The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport here has become the first in India to have a reading lounge. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s advisor Awanish Awasthi inaugurated the lounge, This lounge was set up with the help of the National Book Trust (NBT) an Indian publishing house and autonomous body under the ministry of education of the Union government. The NBT will operate this lounge, created near the entrance point of the airport's main lobby.

The Airport Reading Lounge is a reflection of Kashi, for both traditionalists as well as the contemporary visitors and passengers, and for those who wish to seek further knowledge on the mystical heritage of this ancient city.

Apart from India's culture, history, traditional knowledge systems, health and wellness, literature in Hindi, French, Spanish, English and many other Indian languages, the reading lounge also celebrates literary icons of Varanasi through their works, iconic places and unknown facts and connections with the city.

The lounge also has a dedicated shelf of the budding authors displaying their recently published books under the Prime Minister's Mentorship Scheme for Young Writers (PM-YUVA Scheme).

The lounge also offers free access to downloaded portions of any book through a QR code. For the technology-driven generation, another QR code gives access to select Free Audio books, on the comfort of a mobile, laptop or tablet.

Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework Launched by Minister R Bindu

Kerala Government has launched the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework, KIRF. The new higher education framework was launched by the State Minister for Higher Education R Bindu. With KIRF, Kerala becomes the first state to implement its own ranking system for higher education.

Created on the lines of the National Institute of Ranking Framework, under KIRF, the government aims to introduce a more democratic and secular approach to the ranking system in the state.

The ranking framework has been implemented by the Kerala State Higher Education Council and KSHEC will be issuing rankings annually. By implementing the KIRF, Kerala becomes the first state to have its own ranking system for higher education institutions.

SPORTS

Yashasvi Jaiswal smashes fastest fifty in the history of IPL

Rajasthan Royal’s left-handed batter Yashasvi Jaiswal created history by making the fastest 50 in the history of IPL, He reached the 50-run mark in just 13 balls to break the record jointly held by KL Rahul and Pat Cummins. Both had scored half-centuries in 14 balls. With RR chasing a 150-run target against KKR, The opener batsman struck 26 runs, with three fours and two sixes, in the very first over by KKR captain Nitish Rana. Jaiswal got emotional after the match-winning knocks and said that his dream is to play at 3 in ODI for India.

About Yashasvi Jaiswal - Yashasvi Bhupendra Kumar Jaiswal is an Indian professional cricketer who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He is the youngest cricketer in the world to score a List A double century.

Yuzvendra Chahal creates history, becomes first Indian to take most wickets in IPL

Yuzvendra Chahal, the spinner for both India and the Rajasthan Royals cricket team, made history on Sunday as he became the first Indian bowler to take 300 wickets in T20 cricket. Chahal’s impressive performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad saw him take four wickets for just 17 runs in four overs, ultimately leading his team to a 72-run victory.

Chahal reached the milestone after dismissing Harry Brook with the last ball of the seventh over. He now has an impressive record of 303 wickets in 265 matches, having also taken down Mayank Agrawal, Adil Rashid, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar throughout the match.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Plant Health

The United Nations designated 12 May the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.

Plants provide 98 percent of the oxygen we breathe, 80 percent of food we consume, the fibres for our clothes and other lifestyle items. They give shelter to countless birds and other living beings. Yet, as per the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), around 40 percent food crops get damaged annually due to diseases and pests. Climate change is also having an adverse impact on plants. Rural agricultural communities are the most affected by this food security issue. Maintaining or ensuring good health of plants is vital for the survival of mankind and other life.

Theme - The theme of this year’s celebration of International Day of Plant Health is “Plant Health for Environmental Protection,” as mentioned on the IPPC website. The IPPC is a 1951 multilateral treaty overseen by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) which formulates action plans to prevent and control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products.

International Nurse Day

The International Council of Nurses has dedicated May 12 as International Nurse Day to honour the contribution of nurses to society and acknowledge the role they play in the overall healthcare system. Nurses play a crucial role in providing medical care and their role during COVID-19 has inspired humankind. The day marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

Florence Nightingale also known as “The Lady With the Lamp,” was a British nurse, social reformer and statistician best known as the founder of modern nursing.  She was the founder of St. Thomas’s Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in 1860.

The International Council of Nurses has dedicated May 12 as International Nurse Day to celebrate Florence Nightingale's birthday. The Council celebrated International Nurses Day for the first time in 1965. Every year, a different component of nursing or the healthcare system is highlighted through the theme of International Nurses Day. This year, the theme of International Nurses Day 2023 is "Our Nurses. Our Future."

BANKING AND ECONOMY

World Bank Approves USD 82 Mln for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in India

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved an $82 million loan towards the adoption of global best practices for animal health management to prevent, detect, and respond to endemic zoonotic, transboundary, and emerging infectious diseases. It will strengthen India’s One Health approach, which recognises that people and animals are connected with their shared environment.

Animal disease outbreaks globally continue to pose risks to public health systems and have enormous economic costs. With India having the largest livestock population in the world, these risks are particularly high. For example, foot and mouth disease alone costs the country more than $3.3 billion annually.