Today's Current Affairs 14th July 2023

INTERNATIONAL

IIT Delhi will open its international campus in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed that IIT Delhi is going to open its international campus in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
• After IIT Madras, now IIT Delhi is also going to open its international campus outside the country in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
• Earlier, IIT Madras had announced to set up its campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania. Whose work is likely to start from October this year. This initiative will further strengthen the relations between the two countries.
• Meanwhile, IIT Delhi has also announced the inclusion of UAE school students in its Summer Boot Camp, in which talented school students from there will be able to work on their research and other innovations in IIT Delhi's lab. Currently, IIT Delhi conducts such summer boot camps only for Indian school students.
• During the event, Pradhan also handed over a set of books (magic box) designed for school children up to class three under the new National Education Policy (NEP) to UAE Minister of Education Sarah Musallam

World's largest International Temple Convention and Expo to be organized in Varanasi

• The world's largest International Temple Convention and Expo (ITCX) will be organized from 22 to 24 July 2023 at the Rudraksh Convention Center in Varanasi.
• Conceived by Temple Connect (India), it is the world's first event solely dedicated to the management of temples. The conference will focus on nurturing and empowering the governance, management and operations of the world and temple ecosystem.
• More than 450 temple functionaries from 25 countries are expected to participate in the conference. Along with Hindus, office bearers of Math-Temples and Gurudwaras belonging to Sikh, Buddhist and Jainism have also been invited.
• The conference will be inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on July 22. The event will be held at Rudraksh Convention Centre. For the first time, the International Temples Convention & Expo is being organized by Temple Connect.
• The three-day event is being organized as part of the Incredible India campaign in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism. In this, development, empowerment of temple management, operation and administration will be discussed. According to the founder of Temple Connect, best practices will be created for the teams of the leading places of worship in the world.

NATIONAL

Numaligarh Refinery in Assam upgraded to ‘Schedule A’ category enterprise

• Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has established itself as one of the top 20 CPSEs in India in terms of both sales revenue and profitability. It has gained widespread recognition as a high-performing refinery in the country, setting industry benchmarks for distillate production, specific energy usage, and gross refining profit. Furthermore, NRL has embarked on exporting petroleum products to neighboring countries, solidifying its global presence and playing a vital role in advancing the Act East Policy of the Government of India.
• With a refining capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), NRL holds the distinction of being the largest refinery in Northeast India. Currently, it is undertaking a significant expansion project to triple its refining capacity to 9 MMTPA, alongside the construction of a transnational crude oil pipeline from Paradip in Odisha. NRL is also actively involved in projects valued at Rs. 35,000 crores in the region, representing one of the largest investments in the oil and gas sector.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

China launches world's 1st methane-powered rocket to space

• China successfully launched the world’s first methane-powered rocket into space.
• The development marked the first orbital mission fueled by methane, a cutting-edge technology that until now had only been developed by the American companies SpaceX and Blue Origin.
• The rocket, named Zhuque-2 Y2, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi desert, said its manufacturer LandSpace, a private Chinese space company.
• LandSpace claimed that the success of the mission verified various schemes of the rocket and laid a solid foundation for the development of reusable rockets in the next stage, according to national broadcaster CGTN.
• The rocket uses liquid methane as fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer – a non-toxic mix of reusable components also known as “methalox.”
• The launcher has a two-stage configuration, with a diameter of 3.35 meters, a height of 49.5 meters, a takeoff weight of 219 tons, and a takeoff thrust of 268 tons.
• It is the second test flight of the Zhuque-2 after a failed attempt in December last year.

Chandrayaan-3 successfuly launched

• The Chandrayaan-3- India’s third mission to the moon took off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on July 14. The Vikram lander of the mission is expected to soft land on the surface of the South Pole region of the Moon on around August 23-24. The LVM3 rocket broke free from the second launch pad at the Space Centre at about 2.35 p.m. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the relentless dedication of India’s scientists on the launch of Chandrayaan-3
• The success of this launch is not just important to India but also the world as crucial information from the mission will help future space missions globally. This mission demonstrates that India is competent enough in scientific advancements. LVM -3 rocket is just ready to undertake the mission.

IMPORANT DAYS

Bastille Day

• Bastille Day (also known as la Fête nationale) on July 14 commemorates the storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789. The event sparked already heated times in France, leading to the French Revolution.
• All across the country, the French tricolor flag waves during parades, festivals, fireworks, and other celebrations. The Eiffel Tower lights up in the blue, white and red of the country’s flag. The French proudly display motto Liberté, Egaliteé Fraternité (liberty, equality, and fraternity).
• PM Modi in France - Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be given one of France's most spectacular recognitions on July 14 as guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade, a part of a visit that has sealed high-profile defence deals.
• PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will watch French and Indian soldiers march down the tree-lined Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris, while French-made Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 will take part in the fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe, Reuters reported.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Defence Ministry and FSSAI sign MOU to promote use of millet and healthy eating practices among armed forces

• The Defence Ministry and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the use of millets and healthy eating practices among the armed forces and ensure availability of safe and nutritious food. The MoU was signed in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi today.
• The Union Health Ministry said, this collaboration will ensure training of food handlers and chefs of mess, canteens of the Armed Forces and other food outlets on food safety and hygiene. It signifies a shared commitment to the health and well-being of the Armed Forces to enable them to remain strong and resilient in their service to the nation. The MoU will also encourage the families of the Armed Forces and the community at large to adopt nutritious diets, make healthy food choices, and maintain food safety.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

PM Modi conferred with Grand Cross of Legion of Honour- France’s highest award

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award by H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France. PM Modi thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
• Earlier, PM Modi addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris. During his address, he highlighted the multi-faceted India-France Strategic Partnership, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Prime Minister also announced about opening of new consulate in Marseille, France.
• Before that, PM Modi met H.E. Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France on 13 July 2023. Both the leaders discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, railways, digital public infrastructure, museology and people to people ties.