Today's Current Affairs 22nd August 2023

NATIONAL

TN CM Stalin Lays Foundation Stone For South-East Asia’s Largest Desalination Plant

• In a significant stride towards resolving the water crisis gripping Chennai city, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M K Stalin, has laid the foundation stone for what is set to become South East Asia’s largest water desalination project.
• Spearheaded by VA Tech Wabag, a renowned pure-play water technology Indian Multinational Group based in Chennai, this project is poised to revolutionize the region’s water supply. With an ambitious investment of Rs 4,400 crore, this initiative holds the potential to alleviate Chennai’s water scarcity concerns and elevate the city’s status as a water-sustainable urban center.
• The goal of the project is to establish a Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility with the capacity to generate an impressive 400 million liters per day (MLD) of clean, drinkable water. The financial backing for this project is being extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), exemplifying a collaborative endeavor aimed at tackling a critical regional concern.

 SPORTS

TN CM lays foundation stone for Rs 4,276 cr 400 MLD desalination plant

• In a remarkable feat of intellectual prowess, Raja Anirudh Sriram, a fourth-standard student hailing from Tirupati, has clinched a silver medal at the prestigious Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC). This prodigious achievement has not only brought honor to his family and school but has also brought pride to the entire state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Among the 23 Indians representing the nation at the SIMOC, Raja Anirudh stood out as the sole participant from Andhra Pradesh. The event, which saw the participation of over 2000 students from 32 different countries, was a platform for young mathematical minds to showcase their skills and knowledge.
• Raja Anirudh’s affinity for mathematics has been evident since an early age. His journey of success has been marked by numerous national and international awards that highlight his extraordinary capabilities.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Google's Kiran Mani joins Viacom18 as CEO of Digital Business

• In a strategic move to bolster its digital business operations, Viacom18 has welcomed Kiran Mani, a seasoned executive from Google, as the new CEO. Mani’s impressive track record and extensive experience position him well to lead Viacom18’s digital endeavors. Currently serving as the General Manager and MD for Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region, Mani’s 13-year tenure at Google underscores his deep understanding of digital markets.
• Kiran Mani’s longstanding association with Google speaks volumes about his ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital platforms. His role as the head of Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region has equipped him with valuable insights into user behaviors, content consumption patterns, and market trends. This expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in his new role as CEO of Viacom18’s digital business.
• One of the significant responsibilities that Mani will shoulder is spearheading the expansion of JioCinema. This task aligns with Viacom18’s strategic vision to enhance its digital offerings and tap into the burgeoning digital content market. JioCinema, under Mani’s guidance, is poised to reach new heights, benefiting from his strategic acumen and digital industry insights.

Axis Bank’s Neelkanth Mishra appointed part-time chairperson of UIDAI

• The Centre has announced the appointment of Neelkanth Mishra as the part-time Chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Mr. Mishra, known for his expertise in economics and research, currently serves as the Chief Economist of Axis Bank and also holds the position of Head of Global Research at Axis Capital.
• Neelkanth Mishra boasts an impressive professional journey that spans several decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the world of finance and research. Prior to his association with Axis Bank, he spent twenty years at Credit Suisse, a prominent financial institution based in Zurich.
• Throughout his tenure, Mishra held various crucial roles, such as co-head of APAC Strategy, India Equity Strategy Head, and Head of Research in India. This diverse range of responsibilities allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of financial markets, strategic planning, and economic analysis.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

World Water Week 2023: 20 to 24 August

• World Water Week is a global event which is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute every year since 1991. The programme will be held from August 20 to 24 at the Waterfront Congress Center. It is a non-profit event which aims to develop solutions for the international water crisis (alongside several other problems). Water is one of the most essential gifts of nature that we require in our daily lives. From drinking to cleaning, water serves multiple purposes in our lives. Hence, it becomes equally important for us to conserve it.
• The theme, Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, invites a rethink of how water is managed, and urges consideration of the ideas, innovations, and governance systems that are needed in an increasingly unstable and water scarce world.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

BRICS summit: China's Xi visits South Africa in second trip

• Leaders from the BRICS economic alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are converging in the bustling financial district of Sandton, Johannesburg, for a highly anticipated three-day summit. This gathering marks a pivotal moment in international diplomacy as discussions unfold regarding the consolidation of political and economic influence within the developing world.
• The summit is set to witness extensive deliberations on strategies aimed at bolstering the collective political and economic clout of the BRICS alliance. Notably, China’s President Xi Jinping’s active participation reaffirms China’s deep-rooted commitment to the BRICS alliance as a crucial instrument for advancing its strategic ambitions on the global stage.

India to get $25 million grant for strengthening animal health system

• The G20 Pandemic Fund has recently granted a significant sum of $25 million to India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. This funding is aimed at bolstering the country’s animal health system, which is a crucial component of the comprehensive One Health strategy for preventing and responding to pandemics. The ongoing global pandemic has emphasized the necessity of integrated One Health frameworks in tackling emerging infectious diseases, often originating from animals.
• Notably, a substantial majority of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declared international health emergencies in recent times have been of animal origin. This reinforces the significance of addressing animal health as a pivotal facet of pandemic readiness and reaction.
• Under the guidance of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, the Pandemic Fund has greenlit a proposal submitted by India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD). This proposal, titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response,” has been allocated the $25 million grant.

Om Birla inaugurates 9th C'wealth Parliamentary Conference in Udaipur

• The eagerly awaited Ninth India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) took place in the historic city of Udaipur, located in the state of Rajasthan. Stretched across a duration of two days, the event received its inauguration from the distinguished Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla. With the core objective of exploring the theme “Enhancing Democracy and Effective Governance in the Digital Era,” the conference aimed to facilitate insightful discussions and exchange of ideas among its participants.
• The event witnessed the presence of esteemed personalities from the political and parliamentary spectrum. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and CPA Chairperson Ian Liddell-Grainger, among others, graced the occasion with their presence.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Canara Bank introduces UPI interoperable digital rupee mobile app

• Canara Bank, a leading player in the Indian banking sector, has taken a monumental step by introducing the UPI interoperable digital rupee mobile application. This move places Canara Bank at the forefront of innovation, becoming the first bank across both the public and commercial sectors to offer this pioneering feature. The app, named the Canara Digital Rupee app, marks a significant milestone as a part of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project.
• This forward-thinking initiative empowers customers to seamlessly complete transactions through their smartphones. With the Canara Digital Rupee app, customers can effortlessly scan merchant UPI QR codes, facilitating payments using the digital currency. This streamlined process brings a new level of convenience to digital payments, enhancing the overall transaction experience for users.