Today's Current Affairs 16th September 2023

NATIONAL

MP CM to unveil 108 feet tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar on Sep 18

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to unveil a majestic 108-feet-tall statue of the revered philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar on September 18. This monumental project, named “Eaktmta Ki Pratima” (Statue of Oneness), has garnered significant attention due to its grandeur and spiritual significance. The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has allocated a substantial budget of over Rs 2,141 crore for the construction of the Statue of Oneness project, symbolizing the state’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural and religious heritage.
• The towering structure is a tribute to Adi Shankaracharya, an influential and revered figure in Hinduism, known for his profound philosophical contributions. Omkareshwar, located approximately 80 kilometers from Indore on the banks of the Narmada river, has long been recognized as a global center for the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, championed by Adi Shankaracharya. This sacred town holds immense significance in the hearts of devotees and seekers of spiritual wisdom.

Gujarat assembly passes bill that raises OBC quota in local governing bodies to 27%

• Government of Gujarat has passed a bill in the assembly that raises reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) community in local self government bodies like panchayats, municipalities and civic corporations to 27 per cent from the current 10 per cent.
• The Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed on Friday through a majority voice vote after all the 17 Congress MLAs, including Congress Legislative Party leader Amit Chavda and senior MLA Arjun Modhwadia, staged a walkout in protest demanding higher ratio of reservation and tabling of a report of the commission headed by former Supreme Court Justice K S Zaveri.
• The state government on August 29 announced 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in the local governing bodies on the basis of a report submitted by the Zaveri commission.
• Earlier, OBC reservation in local bodies was 10 per cent in Gujarat. To hike it to 27 per cent, the state government introduced the bill to amend relevant provisions related to reservation in the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation Act of 1949, the Gujarat Municipalities Act of 1963 and the Gujarat Panchayats Act of 1993.

Ministry of railway launches Swachhata Pakhwada 2023

• Ministry of Railways is observing Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th September 2023 to 30th September 2023. Ministry of Railways has extended it suo-moto up to 02nd October and has decided to culminate it with Mahatama Gandhi’s Jayanti.
• This year, joint campaign of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Jal Shakti namely ‘Swachhata hi Sewa’ (SHS) Campaign (from 15.09.23 to 02.10.23) is also being celebrated. Activities of SHS have been integrated with Indian Railways’ Swachhata Pakhwada programme.
• For Swachhata Pakhwada – 2023, dedicated days have been assigned for activities during pakhwada like Swachh Railgadi, Swachh Station, Swachh Aahar, Swachh Tracks etc. Extensive awareness campaign are also planned to be carried out through digital media/public announcement via PA systems to educate people about the use of bio-toilets, avoiding single use plastic and observing cleanliness habits.
• In order to ensure greater participation & more effective outcome of the fortnight, Swachhata Pakhwada Awards have been provided to each ministry by Ministry of Jal Shakti (nodal Ministry) for awarding to field functionaries/ attached offices/ subordinate organizations for exemplary performance during pakhwada period. Previous year Swachhata Pakhwada – 2022 awards have been given to following zonal railways:

1st  Position: South Western Railway;

2nd  Position: Western Railway;

3rd   Position: North Eastern Railway.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Interventional Cardiology 2023: 16th September

• The International Day for Interventional Cardiology, celebrated annually on 16 September, is a significant occasion dedicated to recognizing the crucial field of interventional cardiology and its impact on heart health worldwide. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness, acknowledge advancements, and emphasize the importance of interventional cardiology in saving lives.
• Interventional cardio-angiology improves health, increases life expectancy and improves the quality of life. The first coronary angioplasty was performed by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig on 16 September 1977. Since then angioplasty has been the procedure that has saved the most grams of myocardium at risk worldwide.

World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2023: 15 September

• World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) is an annual event observed on September 15th. It is dedicated to increasing awareness about lymphoma, a group of blood cancers that affect the lymphatic system, a crucial part of our immune system. Lymphomas come in various forms, with Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma being the two main types.
• In summary, World Lymphoma Awareness Day is a day of global significance. It not only informs the public about lymphoma but also supports patients and their families, promotes research, fights stigma, and advocates for better healthcare access. Through these efforts, we move closer to a world where lymphoma is better understood and more effectively treated.

World Ozone Day 2023: 16th September

• World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is observed annually on 16th September. This day serves as a reminder of the critical role played by the ozone layer in safeguarding our planet Earth. The ozone layer, primarily composed of Trioxygen molecules (O3), acts as a shield against harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
• The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: Fixing the Ozone Layer and Reducing Climate Change.” This theme emphasizes the pivotal role of the Montreal Protocol in not only protecting the ozone layer but also mitigating climate change.

 SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Ashok Leyland signs MoU to invest ₹1,000 crore to set integrated bus plant in UP

• In a significant move towards promoting clean mobility and bolstering the commercial vehicle industry, Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group, announced on Friday, September 15, its plans to invest ₹1,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh. This substantial investment is geared towards establishing a state-of-the-art bus manufacturing facility, marking the company’s maiden venture in the state.
• To kickstart the development of this facility, Ashok Leyland is allocating an initial investment of ₹200 crore. This initial phase will lay the foundation for the larger project, which is expected to reach ₹1,000 crore in investment over the next five years.
• The proposed manufacturing facility is set to be located near Lucknow, positioning it strategically within the state. This hub will serve as a beacon for clean and eco-friendly mobility solutions, in line with Ashok Leyland’s mission to address environmental concerns and embrace sustainability.

 RANKING

Infosys only Indian firm in TIME’s top 100 World's Best Companies of 2023

• In a remarkable achievement, Infosys, the Bengaluru-headquartered IT services provider, has secured a coveted spot on TIME magazine’s ‘The World’s Best Companies of 2023’ list. Infosys stands out as the only Indian company to make it into the top 100 rankings, claiming the 64th position with an impressive overall score of 88.38. Notably, the company has earned a ‘very high’ growth rate, a testament to its commitment to excellence. On sustainability, Infosys ranked 135, and 103 for employee-satisfaction.
• Founded in 1981 by four engineers, including NR Narayana Murthy, Infosys has grown into India’s second-largest IT company in terms of revenue. The company’s illustrious history is marked by its dedication to technological excellence and innovation. Notably, Infosys has a prominent connection to the political landscape of the United Kingdom, as the son-in-law of NR Narayana Murthy is Rishi Sunak, who serves as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI’s financial inclusion index rises; shows growth across all segments

• In a recent announcement by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Financial Inclusion (FI) Index has shown significant improvement, reaching a score of 60.1 in March 2023, compared to its previous reading of 56.4 in March 2022. This noteworthy advancement in the FI Index is attributed to growth across all sub-indices.
• The boost in the FI Index can be primarily attributed to enhancements in the usage and quality dimensions, signifying a deepening of financial inclusion, as highlighted in the central statement released by the RBI.
• When the FI Index was first introduced in August 2021, the score for the fiscal year ending March 2021 stood at 53.9. To provide historical context, it’s worth noting that in March 2017, the FI Index languished at a mere 43.4.
• The FI Index is designed as a comprehensive tool, encompassing insights from various sectors including banking, investments, insurance, postal services, and pension. This collaborative effort involved consultations with the government and relevant sectoral regulators to ensure a holistic perspective on financial inclusion.

Air India Becomes The First Indian Airline To Add Self-Bag Drop For International Flights

• Air India, one of India’s prominent airlines, has introduced ‘Project Abhinandan,’ a new initiative aimed at providing passengers with a personalized and hassle-free experience, particularly in managing baggage issues and dealing with missed flights. Under this initiative, Air India has stationed specially trained service assurance officers (SAOs) at 16 major airports across the country to offer on-ground assistance and support to travelers.
• The airports where these service assurance officers have been deployed encompass a wide geographical spread, covering Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam. These officers are strategically positioned to assist Air India passengers at various critical points during their journey, including the check-in area, lounges, near boarding gates, during transit, or at the arrival hall.