Today's Current Affairs 23rd June 2023

INTERNATIONAL

India joins Artemis agreement 

• India joins NASA's Artemis agreement for collaborative lunar exploration. The focus is on returning humans to the Moon and expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the agreement during his state visit to the United States.
• Grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords is a non-binding international agreement, designed to guide civil space exploration and use. India has decided to join Artemis Accord, the United States-led international agreement on civil space exploration, the White House said Thursday. US space agency the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have also agreed for a joint mission to the International Space Station next year,

NATIONAL

Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated Silica Reduction Plant at Bhilai Steel Plant's Dalli Mines 

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually inaugurated Silica Reduction Plant at Bhilai Steel Plant's Dalli Mines from New Delhi,
• The iron ore reserves in the 60-year-old mines of SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant's Dalli and Rajhara group are depleting rapidly. The study revealed the need to refine iron ore of size less than one mm to achieve the desired grade for effective usage in the Blast Furnace. The Silica Reduction Plant, with an investment of over 149 crore rupees, is aligned with the existing Crushing, Screening and Washing wet plant at Dalli. This plant is equipped with state-of-the-art beneficiation equipment and aims to enhance the iron ore supplied to Bhilai Steel Plant.
• Steel Ministry is focused on promoting de-carbonization in the Indian Steel Industry and formulating a long-term roadmap for green steel production in collaboration with the steel industry.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launches PM Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication Feature 

• The PM-Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication Feature was launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar under the central government's ambitious and popular scheme for income support to farmers "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi".
• With this unique mobile app, farmers can now complete the e-KYC, sitting at home by scanning the face without OTP or fingerprint. The mobile app was launched to register farmers under the Central government's ambitious scheme for income support to farmers - ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’.
• Under the scheme, eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each (every four months). The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, However, a few farmer unions claimed that it was a step to devoid farmers of the Union government’s benefits by introducing high-end technology to register themselves through this mobile application.

Scientists from Gujarat institute develop biodegradable paper supercapacitor from seaweed 

• Scientists at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have developed the thinnest, lightweight and biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor. A supercapacitor is an electrochemical charge storage device with a fast charging/discharging cycle, high power density and a longer lifecycle.
• This supercapacitor which can fully charge a device within 10 seconds, has been developed from seaweed (marine macroalgae). The device is of high tensile strength and performance, as well as cost-effective, according to the researchers.The product can be used in electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machines, electric vehicles, etc.; hence, it holds a huge business prospect.
• Scientists Priyank Bhutiya and Syed Zaheer Hasan extracted cellulose nanofibers from seaweed and reduced them into graphene oxide and zinc oxide. Nanowires were grown over the extracted seaweed cellulose nanofibers using hydrothermal methods to get the anodic paper supercapacitor.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Ruby Sinha appointed as President of BRICS CCI WE Women's Vertical 

• The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) has appointed Ruby Sinha as the President of BRICS CCI WE, the women's vertical of the BRICS CCI for a period of three years. Sinha, the founder of SheAtWork and Kommune Brand Communications, will assume the role. BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry is dedicated to fostering trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship among the BRICS nations and other friendly countries. Sinha succeeds Shabana Nasim, who has transitioned to the position of Executive Director of BRICS CCI and Chief Patron of BRICS CCI WE.
• About the BRICS CCI - The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a parent organization which promotes commerce and industry in the BRICS nations. The Chamber, founded in 2012 with the efforts of eminent professionals and entrepreneur, is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization. BRICS CCI is a registered body under Societies Registration Act 1860, Government of India and empaneled with NITI Aayog (highest policy-making body of Govt of India) and recognized by United Nations.
• The Women Vertical of BRICS CCI has been created with a prime focus on women empowerment initiatives and policies across geographies. The objective of the women’s wing is to create an enabling support system for women entrepreneurs and professionals across geographies.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Widows Day

• International Widows Day (IWD) is observed annually on 23 June. The day is recognised to create awareness among people about the difficulties and challenges faced by widows worldwide,
• History - International Widows Day was first recognised and established by the United Nations on June 23, 2011. The day was officially recognized through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, acknowledging the hardships faced by widows globally and the need to address their rights and welfare.
• The establishment of International Widows Day was driven by the efforts of various organizations, including the Loomba Foundation, an international charity that advocates for the rights of widows. The foundation, led by Raj Loomba, worked tirelessly to bring attention to the challenges faced by widows and campaigned for a designated day to raise awareness and promote action.

International Olympic Day 

• World Olympic Day or International Olympic Day is observed globally on June 23 and and this day commemorates the founding of the International Olympic Committee in the year 1894 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
• History - World Olympic Day was created in 1948 as a tribute to June 23, 1894, when the inception of the modern Olympic Games took place at the Sorbonne in Paris. The aim of Olympic Day is to foster global engagement in sports, irrespective of age, gender, or athletic aptitude.
• Theme – The theme of this year’s Olympic Day is ‘Let’s Move’ which aims to inspire people around the world to make time for daily physical activity. While the world is moving faster than ever, people are moving less with research showing over 80 per cent of young people fail to reach the daily activity level recommended for optimum mental and physical health. This 23 June is the start of a new global movement to make time to move.

United Nations Public Service Day 

• Every year, the United Nations celebrates the tremendous importance and noble nature of public service on June 23. This particular anniversary, strives to highlight the contribution of public officials and reflect on how they contribute to development and progress. It also aims to recognise their outstanding efforts and inspire the next generation to pursue professions in the public sector.
• History - On 20 December 2002, the General Assembly designated 23 June as Public Service Day by adopting a resolution, To boost the recognition of this day, the United Nations established the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme in 2003, which was reviewed in 2016 to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Theme - There is no specific theme chosen for United Nations Public Service Day 2023. The day revolves around the value and virtue of public service to the community.
• Significance - This day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector. Since the first Awards Ceremony in 2003, the United Nations has received an increasing number of submissions from all around the world.
• International Women in Engineering Day
• On June 23rd each year, International Women in Engineering Day highlights a profession that keeps on building. And when it comes to engineering, the profession fills roles across many sectors.
• History - The United Kingdom officially dedicated June 23 to lead a national campaign for women in the engineering field in 2014. Just two years later the day received UNESCO patronage thereby making awareness on a global scale. Finally, in 2017, the day was celebrated on an international level for the first time giving rise to the day that celebrates the vigilant efforts of women in the engineering society.
• Theme - Every year the day is attributed to different themes and this year will mark the 10th celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. The theme of the special day this year is reported to be ‘Make Safety Seen’.
• Significance - The primary objective of the day is to raise awareness and encourage the participation of women in the engineering sector. International Women in Engineering Day recognizes the great contribution of female engineering pioneers who often go unnoticed. The awareness campaigns are to equip young girls with boundless opportunities to help them carve a niche for themselves.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's 

GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL for production of fighter jet engines for IAF 

• US-based GE Aerospace on Thursday (June 22 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. The announcement is a major milestone amidst Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the US and a key element in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
• GE Aerospace stated the agreement includes the potential joint production of its F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorisation for this. The effort is part of the Indian Air Force's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 programme. For the unversed, US-based GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft.

 Indian Railways signs MoU with USAID/India 

• Indian Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India), The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on 14 June, envisages collaboration in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Aim - It aims to incorporate clean energy sources into Indian Railways‘ operations. The parties involved will work together to develop an energy efficiency policy and action plan specifically tailored for Indian Railways’ buildings.
• The collaboration also seeks to facilitate the procurement of clean energy solutions that align with Indian Railways‘ ambitious vision of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. To overcome potential regulatory and implementation barriers, technical support will be provided through the partnership.

The expertise of USAID will assist in designing and managing bids for large-scale renewable energy procurement projects, ensuring a system-friendly approach. Additionally, the agency will extend its support to Indian Railways in promoting e-mobility, enabling the adoption of electric vehicles within the railway system.