Today's Current Affairs 20th August 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Russia's first robotic moon mission in nearly 50 years ends in failure

• Russia’s eagerly anticipated lunar mission, the Luna-25, has suffered a significant setback as the spacecraft veered out of control and crashed onto the Moon surface. The failure is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable challenges inherent in space exploration, emphasizing that even the most advanced technology is susceptible to failure. This article delves into the details of the mission, the implications of its failure, and Russia’s unwavering commitment to lunar exploration.
• The Luna-25 mission was an ambitious undertaking by Russia, aimed at landing a spacecraft on the Moon’s South Pole. This region garnered intense scientific interest due to its potential to contain water ice, a precious resource for future lunar endeavors. Beyond its scientific objectives, the Luna-25 also served as a preliminary step towards more advanced lunar missions, setting the stage for future missions that would gather and return lunar soil samples to Earth.

 NATIONAL

Tulip Garden of Srinagar Entered Record Books With 1.5mn Flowers

• Nestled amidst the picturesque foothills of the Zabarwan range, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has etched its name in the annals of the World Book of Records as Asia’s largest and most spectacular park of its kind. The garden, adorned with a enchanting variety of 1.5 million blooming flowers, stands as a living testament to the beauty and diversity of nature.
• The World Book President and CEO, Santosh Shukla, bestowed the esteemed certification upon Fayaz Sheikh, the Secretary of Floriculture, Gardens, and Parks.
• With an enchanting collection of 68 distinctive tulip varieties, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a captivating tapestry of colors and shapes. Each tulip variety presents a unique personality, painting the landscape with hues that range from the most delicate pastels to the most vibrant and striking shades. The garden’s meticulously curated collection showcases the tireless efforts of horticulturists and botanists in cultivating a breathtaking array of nature’s wonders.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jodaraste Scheme: Maharashtra govt to link all tribal villages in state with main roads

• The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards enhancing connectivity and improving the lives of tribal communities in the state. The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jodaraste Scheme aims to link all tribal villages in 17 districts of Maharashtra with main roads, effectively addressing the challenges faced by these communities in accessing essential services. The project, estimated at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore, will involve the construction of approximately 6,838 kilometers of roads.

 SPORTS

Women's World Cup final: England lose to Spain in Sydney

• Spain secured their first ever Women’s World Cup title with a 1-0 win over England at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. The win marks a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign for Spain who previously failed to make it past the Round of 16. Making it to the final after knockout wins over Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden, was already a first for Spain with the victory in the final cause for an even bigger celebration. Captain Olga Carmona smashed the decisive goal as Spain defeated England 1-0 to lift the FIFA Women’s World Cup title.
• Spain’s first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.In addition, Spain’s victory makes them only the second nation to have won both the men’s and the women’s World Cups. The other nation is Germany, who won the men’s World Cup in 1974 and 1990, and the women’s World Cup in 2003 and 2007. Spain’s victory is a historic moment for the team, for the country, and for the women’s game. It is a moment that will be remembered for many years to come.

ICC unveils two mascots for ODI World Cup 2023

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has enthusiastically introduced a captivating pair of brand mascots for the upcoming World Cups. These mascots, unveiled at an event in Gurugram, India, in the presence of U19 World Cup Champions’ captains Yash Dhull and Shafali Verma, embody the unity and spirit that cricket promotes worldwide. Representing gender equality and diversity, the mascots, a male and a female, originate from a distant cricket paradise called the Crictoverse.
• The male and female mascots from the Crictoverse symbolize unique traits that stand for gender equality and diversity. The ICC has also launched a naming competition for the mascots, allowing fans to leave their mark on the World Cup until August 27.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

RBI appoints P R Seshadri as South Indian Bank MD & CEO; stock zooms 11%

• The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of PR Seshadri as Managing Director & CEO of the South Indian Bank for a period of three years with effect from October 1, 2023
• PR Seshadri is an accomplished banker with experiences spanning multiple businesses, functional lines and geographies. He has significant experiences in enterprise level management and in the management of all key commercial banking business lines and he has substantial experience in successfully managing investors, boards and regulatory relationships in multiple geographies.
• PR Seshadri is a respected business leader with a proven track record of building and leading large teams to execute and deliver complex business objectives. He demonstrated his ability in creating new businesses as well as in problem solving. He is successful in scaling businesses – both existing and new – taking advantage of new technologies and new market opportunities.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

Sadbhavana Diwas 2023: 20th August

• Sadbhavana Diwas, also known as Harmony Day, is an annual celebration observed on 20th August in India. 20th August 2023 marks the 79th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This day commemorates the birthday of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a visionary leader who championed the cause of national integration, peace and public harmony among the diverse population of India.
• The term “Sadbhavana” in English refers to “goodwill and bonafide”. Being the youngest Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi’s thought process was modern and different from others. He had the vision of a developed nation via many national as well as international projects that he pioneered. The main theme of Sadbhavana Diwas is to promote national integration and communal harmony among people of all religions and languages.
• Rajiv Gandhi, born on 20th August 1944, is the former Prime Minister of India. He held office from 1984-1989 and made significant contributions to the development of the country. He introduced several progressive policies aimed at modernizing India’s education system and economy. Some of his notable achievements include:

 World Mosquito Day 2023: 20th August

• Every year, World Mosquito Day is celebrated on August 20. This is done to commemorate the contributions of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross who was the first person to discover the connection between malaria and female anopheline mosquitoes. Every year, World Mosquito Day is celebrated to create awareness about the dangers of mosquitoes, the ways by which we can protect ourselves from these diseases, and to rise together to combat these insects. As we gear up to celebrate this day, here are a few facts to keep in mind.
• This day is also observed by raising awareness about the dangers of these diseases. Fundraising is done to explore the cure for malaria. The works of scientists such as Ronald Ross and others are also applauded on this day.