Today's Current Affairs 18th March 2023

NATIONAL

After BSF, ex-Agniveers will now get 10% reservation in CISF job

Former Agniveers will now get a 10% reservation in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) job vacancies, the Union Home Ministry made the announcement after a week it notified a similar quote for them in BSF. After amending the rules under the CISF Act, 1968 (50 of 1968), the ministry also announced relaxation in the upper age limit depending on whether they are part of the first batch or subsequent batches of Agniveers.

The upper age limit shall be relaxable up to five years for candidates of the first batch of former Agniveers and up to three years for candidates of other batches, the ministry said, adding that ex-Agniveers will also be exempted from the physical efficiency test, PTI reported.

PM Modi with Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate first cross-border energy pipeline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline today via video conference.

This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of 377 crore rupees. Out of this, the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline, built at a cost of approximately 285 crore rupees, has been borne by the Government of India under grant assistance.

The Pipeline has the capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD). It will supply HSD initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar inaugurates “Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential To be There” Exhibition

The historic exhibition which features the works of Sri Lanka’s iconic architect the late Geoffrey Bawa, is jointly organized by the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and the Geoffrey Bawa Trust to mark the 75th anniversary of Indo-Lanka diplomatic relations, which falls this year.

A large number of invitees including diplomats, senior officials of the Government of India, academics, journalists, art lovers and professionals attended the ceremonial opening of the exhibition. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda, Director of the National Gallery of Modern Art Temsunaro Tripati, and Trustee of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust Sanjay Kulatunga joined External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in inaugurating the exhibition.

Bihar the lowest literacy rate , Kerala manages to be on top with 94%

According to the data shared by the Ministry of Education, Bihar has the lowest literacy rate of 61.8% , followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 65.3 % and Rajasthan 66.1 %, Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 94%, followed by Lakshadweep at 91.85% and Mizoram at 91.33%. 

The literacy rate of women in India has increased by 68 per cent - up from 9 per cent at the time of Independence to 77 per cent at present, LiveMint reported. As per World Bank estimates, only 1 of 11 girls was literate during the period surrounding India's Independence, and

Currently, only 84.7 per cent of males are literate in India.

MPORTANT DAYS

The 6th Global Recycling Day

Every year, the Earth yields billions of tons of natural resources and at some point, in the not too distant future, it will run out. That’s why we must think again about what we throw away – seeing not waste, but opportunity. The last decade has been the hottest on record, and we are now facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. If we don’t make significant and rapid changes, we will see continued rising global temperatures, the melting of icecaps, continents on fire and rapid deforestation.

This directly affects humanity with increased poverty, immigration from displaced communities, job losses, waste mountains and natural habitats disappearing. We have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, we are already seeing many individuals, governments and organisations taking direct action to support the global green agenda.

Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Each year the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030. There is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity.

 Ordnance Factories Day: India

Ordnance Factories are a branch of the government that is engaged in the research and development of weapons for the military, testing, producing, performing logistics and marketing them. Ordnance Factory Day is observed on March 18, annually in India.

It is the day on which the first Ordnance factory was set up by the British at Cossipore, Kolkata in 1801, during colonial rule. The day is celebrated by the Ministry of Defence, who hoist the Indian flag, sing the national anthem and then exhibit various artillery and other items used by the Indian Armed Forces, to the public.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Government signs MoU with 27 steel companies, kickstarting Rs 6,322-crore PLI scheme

The government on Friday signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) with 27 companies, kickstarting the Rs 6,322-crore production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for specialty steel, that is expected to generate investments of up to Rs 30,000 crore over the coming five years.

The scheme will create 25 million tonnes of additional specialty steel manufacturing in the country and create 55,000 new jobs as per a statement by the Indian Steel Association (ISA).

PM Modi to inaugurate Global Millets Conference in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi The Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the occasion. He will unveil a customised postal stamp and currency coin on the International Year of Millets (IYM) – 2023. A video on Millets will also be released during the event with the announcement of ICAR-IIMR as the Global Centre of Excellence. The Conference will be attended by Agriculture Ministers of six countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders and other stakeholders. It will witness participation from over 100 countries and several stakeholders will attend the event virtually from across the globe.

The two-day Conference will have sessions on a wide range of issues related to millets including promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets, market linkages research and development etc. An Exhibition-cum- Buyer-Seller Meet with a focus on Millets will also be held with the participation of more than 50 domestic and international buyers, importers, exporters and processors for the promotion of millets. The exhibition of more than 100 stalls will showcase millets and millet-based ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products, by millet-based Startups, and exporters, and live cooking sessions by various international and national chefs.

Second meeting of Startup-20 engagement group under India’s G-20 Presidency begins in Sikkim

The two-day meeting of the Startup20 engagement group under India’s G20 Presidency began today at Chintan Bhawan in Gangtok. The Startup20 engagement group aims to bring together global startup systems while ensuring that every nation has the freedom to grow its unique ecosystem.

Addressing the inaugural session of Startup20 Sikkim Sabha, Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang said, Startup20 is the perfect opportunity for bringing together and synergising key stakeholders in a world that needs innovation, digitisation, dynamic energy, and technology breakthroughs.

Mr Tamang appreciated the central government’s Startup India Initiative to transform India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers. He highlighted various aspects of the scheme including tax exemptions, ease of doing business, and funding assistance. The chief minister also acknowledged the role of the National Credit Guarantee Trust Company, Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Small Industries Development Bank of India, and Startup India Hub in taking India to the third position in the Global Startup ecosystem and a jump from the 81st to the 40th position in Global Innovation Index in 2022.