Today's Current Affairs 22nd March 2023 

NATIONAL

Most silent ship INS Androth launched in Kolkata

INS Androth, the second in the series of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) was launched at a function on Tuesday.

Vice-Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the chief guest. The primary role of the 77 metres long, waterjet propelled ASW shallow water craft, capable of 25 knots speed is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal water, low intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations. These ships are also capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms. These ships can carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, close-in weapons system (30mm gun) and 16.7mm stabilized remote controlled guns. Vice Admiral Tripathi stated, “The construction of specialized ships such as these for anti-submarine warfare is indeed in sync with the provisioning of a combat ready, credible cohesive and futureproof force, which is ready to face the existing and future challenges. I take this opportunity to congratulate GRSE for being the only DPSU shipyard for receiving the Raksha Mantri Award 2022, for designing the ASW Shallow Water Craft.” 

Asia’s largest 4-metre liquid mirror telescope inaugurated in Uttarakhand

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today - March 22, inaugurated Asia’s largest 4-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope at Devasthal in Uttarakhand in the presence of the Governor of Uttarakhand Lt. Gen (Retd.) Gurmeet Singh

Speaking after the launch, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is primarily the patronage, promotion and prioritization from Prime Narendra Narendra Modi that has enabled and emboldened the scientific fraternity to successfully try new initiatives, one after the other, in the field of science, technology and innovation, which are being rated as world class. Not only PM Modi has given us the motivation to move ahead but also given the freedom to explore hitherto lesser explored areas like Space which has been opened up for private players or India's oceans whose vast resources are waiting to be unfolded.

PM Narendra Modi  inaugurates new ITU Area office & Innovation Centre in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre in India in New Delhi today afternoon (22 March) . ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies and its Headquarters is in Geneva.

India had signed a Host Country Agreement in March last year with ITU for the establishment of Area Office. The Area Office in India also envisaged to have an Innovation Centre, making it unique among other area offices of ITU. The Area Office, which is fully funded by India, is located on the second floor of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) building at Mehrauli in the national capital. The programme will witness the participation of IT and Telecom Ministers of various Area Offices of ITU, the Secretary General and other senior officials of ITU, Heads of United Nations and other international bodies in India, Ambassadors, Industry Leaders, Start-up and MSME, leaders of Academia, students and other stakeholders.

The ITU Area Office will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran, enhancing coordination among nations and fostering mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the region. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also unveil Bharat 6G Vision Document and launch the 6G Research and Development Test Bed. Bharat 6G vision document is prepared by the Technology Innovation Group that was constituted in November 2021 with members from various Ministries and Departments, research and development institutions, academia and Telecom Service Providers and industry to develop a roadmap and action plans for 6G in India. 6G Test bed will provide academic institutions, industries, start-ups, MSMEs and industry a platform to test and validate the evolving ICT technologies.

Africa-India joint exercise AFINDEX- 2023 commences in Pune

The inaugural event of the second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) began at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) of the Indian Army located at Aundh Military Station in Pune Tuesday. The 10-day exercise will focus on Humanitarian Mine Assistance and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.

The multinational military drill will promote the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT) and will focus on incorporating the current dynamics of UN Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises, the Army has said. As many as 24 African militaries are being represented by their contingents or teams of observers in the exercise.

SPORTS

Asian Billiards title 2023

India's Pankaj Advani retained his Asian Billiards title in the 100-up format, defeating fellow countryman Brijesh Damani 5-1 in the final played at Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF) Academy in Doha on Sunday, March 19. Advani, who is a 25-time International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world champion, defeated Damani with a scoreline of 100(51)-18, 100(88)-9, 86(54)-101(75), 100-26, 100(66)-2, 101(64)-59 in the final.

In the women's section, China's Bai Yulu won the title beating Panchaya Channoi of Thailand 3-0 in the final. This is the eighth Asian Billiards title in all for Advani, the Indian cue sports ace who has been bestowed the Arjuna Award in 2004, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2006, Padma Shri in 2009 and Padma Bhushan in 2018. Advani had won the same title last year at Doha.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Water Day

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.  World Water Day is a chance to remind ourselves that billions of people to this day live their lives without access to safe drinking water. As a fundamental human right, it is our job to conserve the water we do have as well as ensure access to those who need it.

As many different groups are overlooked when it comes to providing access to Earth’s most precious resource, the United Nations has taken the stance that “water services must meet the needs of marginalized groups and their voices must be heard in the decision-making process.” In order to guarantee no one is left behind, it is our job to educate ourselves on the laws and regulations that surround our water usage. The water challenges we face vary from region to region. By better understanding the challenges we face in conserving water, the more prepared we’ll be to supply water in the future.  “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis” will be the theme for World Water Day 2023.

Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day

Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day  is an annual commemoration on March 22, which marks the day in 1912 when the British partitioned the state of Bihar from the Bengal presidency. It is a public holiday across the state, with all offices, companies, and educational institutes under the central and state governments closed for the day.

In order to revive pride among its citizens, the Bihar government decided to mark the formation day with multicultural activities and programmes in 2010. The official celebration of this day, including various events and programs, began in 2011 and has continued ever since.

Each year, Bihar Diwas is celebrated with a distinct theme. In 2023, the theme of Bihar Day is "Yuva Shakti Bihar Ki Pragati," which translates to "Progress of Bihar through Youth Power." The theme highlights the crucial role that the youth of Bihar plays in driving the state's growth and development. This year's Bihar Day celebration aims to recognize and showcase the potential of Bihar's young population in transforming the state's future and creating a better tomorrow.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Himachal signs MoU with French Agency to improve drinking water, sanitation

To improve drinking water and sanitation services in five towns of Himachal Pradesh, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Rs 817.12 crore project has been signed by the State Government with the French Development Agency Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD).

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri by the Secretary Jal Shakti Vibhag Amitabh Awasthi on behalf of the State Government and country Director AFD Bruno Bosle on behalf of French Development Agency.

The objective of the project is to develop better sewerage facilities in five towns of the state viz. Manali, Bilaspur, Palampur, Nahan and Karsog and to improve drinking water supply in Manali and Palampur towns. Under the project, Rs 612 crore would be provided by AFD, whereas the State Government would provide Rs. 204.85 crore, said the Chief Minister.