Today's Current Affairs 15th March 2023

NATIONAL

DRDO successfully conducts flight test of indigenous PTO,Shaft on LCA Tejas

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a maiden flight-test of the Power Take off (PTO) Shaft on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) Limited Series Production (LSP) -3 aircraft in Bengaluru. The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The PTO shaft was designed with a unique innovative patented ‘Frequency Spanning Technique’ which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds. The lightweight high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between the aircraft engine gear box and Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gear Box while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line.

NMDC celebrates International Year of Millets at Business Women Expo 2023

At the forefront of popularizing Millets, NMDC distributed the Superfood at the Business Women Expo 2023 in Hyderabad. In the backdrop of the International Year of Millets 2023, NMDC inspired women entrepreneurs to build Millet businesses and contribute to the food security of the nation. On behalf of the company, Shri K Praveen Kumar, ED (Personnel and Law) and Shri K Mohan, CGM (Personnel) distributed the Millets and interacted with the participants on its benefits for a healthier future

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly at its 75th session declared 2023 the International Year of Millets.

India 8th most polluted country in world, Swiss firm IQAir Report.

The Swiss firm IQAir released the ‘World Air Quality’ report which says that India is the world's eighth most polluted country in 2022, dropping from the fifth spot the previous year. The PM2.5 level of most polluted Indian cities stands at 53.3, according to the data. The two Indian cities in the ranking of the world's most polluted city are---Bhiwadi, on Delhi's outskirts, which had pollution levels at 92.7, and Delhi followed close behind at 92.6.

The report said India and Pakistan experienced the worst air quality in the Central and South Asian region, where nearly 60% of the population lives in areas where the concentration of PM2.5 particles is at least seven times higher than WHO's recommended levels.

13^th edition of India-Singapore Bilateral Armour exercise ‘Bold kurukshetra’ held in Jodhpur

The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, India.

For the first time in the exercise series, both armies participated in a command post Exercise, which involved Battalion and Brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming. Hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of Indian Army.

The ten-day long joint training that commenced on 05th March fostered common understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post. Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedure, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in a modern combat zone.

 SPORTS

Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur to inaugurate IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

The IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships will begin in New Delhi today, March 15. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur will attend the opening ceremony at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex this evening.

International Boxing Association, IBA President Umar Kremlev, and Boxing Federation of India, BFI President Ajay Singh will also be present on the occasion. BFI is hosting the biggest boxing event till the 26th of March. The Championship is taking place in India for the third time after 2006 and 2018, the most for any country. The tournament will witness the participation of more than 350 boxers from around 74 countries. The Indian team of 12 boxers for the event includes 2020 Tokyo Bronze medallist, Lovlina Borgohain and the current world champion in the 50kg category, Nikhat Zareen.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Google unveils 'magic wand' for emails and documents

Alphabet’s Google on Tuesday unveiled a flurry of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for its email, collaboration and cloud software, taking aim at Microsoft days before its rival is expected to make a similar announcement. In a replay of last month’s duelling chatbot launches by the tech giants, Alphabet touted a “magic wand” for its popular Google Docs software that can draft a marketing blog, training plan or other text, then revise its tone at users’ discretion, a company official demonstrated to reporters. Alphabet also said its AI will be able to summarise message threads in Gmail, craft slide presentations, personalise customer outreach and take meeting notes as part of its upgrade to Google Workspace, a product suite with billions of users on free and paid accounts.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Deepak Mohanty appointed as PFRDA Chairperson

The Central government has appointed Deepak Mohanty, a former whole-time member of the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA), as the new Chairperson of the PFRDA. Mohanty, also a former executive director of the Reserve Bank of India, will hold the top PFRDA post till attaining the age of 65 years or until further orders,  It also appointed Mamta Shankar, an Indian Economic Service Officer (1993) to the post of Whole-Time Member (Economics) in PFRDA.

PFRDA regulates the National Pension System (NPS) which is mandatory for the Central government staff joining service since 2004. Most state governments have also made it mandatory for their staff joining the service since 2004 or 2005. Later, corporates and the general public were allowed to subscribe to NPS.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Consumer Rights Day

World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15 every year with an aim to raise global awareness about consumer rights and promote consumer protection. The day is also commemorated to be aware about the market injustices across the world. The World Consumer Rights Day is globally recognised and accredited by the United Nations. For 40 years Consumers International has run the campaign, uniting the consumer movement to celebrate together. Consumers International Members help to select the campaign topic each year to help mobilise global action on pressing issues impacting consumers. 

International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The U.N. General Assembly established the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in a resolution passed by a unanimous majority in 2022, designating March 15 as the day of the holiday’s celebration. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation was represented by Pakistan in the resolution’s introduction. It is in remembrance of the day in 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand, when a shooter opened fire inside two mosques, killing 51 people and wounding another 40. The resolution was formally introduced by Pakistan’s U.N. representative, Munir Akram. He said that this resolution acknowledges the widespread rise in intolerance, prejudice, and violence against members of numerous religious and other communities, regardless of who is doing it.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

IDFC Mutual Fund set to become Bandhan Mutual Fund

DFC Mutual Fund, which was founded in 2000, announced that it is set to renovate itself as Bandhan Mutual Fund. Customers will soon discover all IDFC Mutual Fund schemes have been rebranded as Bandhan Mutual Fund after the effective date. Since the underlying investment strategy, processes, and team continue to remain the same, investors can benefit from the same high‐quality investment approach that the fund house is reputed for, - IDFC Mutual Fund said in an official statement.