Today's Current Affairs 26th June 2023

NATIONAL

India’s first hydrogen-powered train to run from Haryana’s Jind district

• Shobhan Choudhary, General Manager (GM) of Northern Railway, recently visited the country’s first hydrogen plant, which is set up in Jind, Haryana. This will be the first hydrogen-powered train in the country and is expected to run from Haryana’s Jind district by the end of this year.
• The officials claimed that hydrogen-powered trains are running only in Germany, and the whole world is watching the project to see how India will start such trains.
• India’s first hydrogen plant is being set up near the railway junction in Jind district. Officials said that the development of the plant has reached the final stage and that hydrogen will be produced from water. The first prototype of the hydrogen train is expected to be introduced in the financial year 2023-2024 between Jind and Sonipat on the Northern Railway. The hydrogen fuel-based train of eight bogies will be environmentally friendly.

Assam's first underwater tunnel to be constructed between Numaligarh and Gohpur

• The first underwater tunnel in Assam will be constructed between Numaligarh and Gohpur at an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 crore, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the tender for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) will open in the next month.
• The idea of an underwater tunnel arose from the many bridges built over the Brahmaputra River to facilitate the movement of both vehicles and railways. Discussions were held to determine the location and it was decided that the tunnel would be built between Numaligarh and Gohpur.
• The tender for the DPR will open on July 4 and Sarma expressed hope that work on the tunnel could begin during his tenure as chief minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the project, and once the tunnel is completed, it will bring the two banks, north and south, of the Brahmaputra river closer together.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Drug Day or  International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 

• The World Drug Day or  International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on June 26 every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
• The aim of this year’s World Drug Day campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritizing prevention; and leading with compassion, said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• History - At the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Vienna on June 26, 1987, it was recommended that a day be observed annually to commemorate the struggle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The United Nations General Assembly on December 7, 1987, decided to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
• Theme - This year World Drug Day’s theme is “People first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”. The world drug problem is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Third Infrastructure Working Group Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency to take place in Rishikesh from June 26-28,

• The three-day meeting of the Infrastructure Working Group under the G20 Summit in Uttarakhand will begin at Narendranagar -Rishikesh today – 26 June.
• A total of 63 delegates from G20 member states, invitees and international organizations have arrived in Narendernagar to participate in the meeting.
• During the three-day event, various official meetings and cultural programs have been planned for the delegates.
• Apart from formal discussions, the delegates will experience the rich culture and beautiful landscapes of Rishikesh. The Presidency has also arranged an excursion for the delegates on the afternoon of 28 June and has planned a “Yoga Retreat” on 26 June

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

PM Modi becomes first Indian to receive the highest civilian award of Egypt

• The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the ‘Order of the Nile’, the highest civilian award of Egypt. PM Modi is the first Indian to have received this honour in Egypt.
• PM Modi also visited Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo during his State Visit to Egypt. PM Modi also met the leaders of Bohra community, who are actively involved in the upkeep of this Fatimid era Shi’a Mosque and highlighted the strong people to people ties between India and Egypt.
• Both leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two countries, particularly in areas like trade and investment, information technology, defence and security,

Shankar Mahadevan receives honorary doctorate in UK

• Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan received an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) in England, Shankar Mahadevan's honorary doctorate is in recognition of his significant contribution to the field of music and the arts.
• Shankar Mahadevan is 56 years old and a prominent member of the music composition trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
• About: United Kingdom: - It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe. It consists of four countries: Engand, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The Capital city of UK is London, Current Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak and Emperor - Charles III

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Launches Nishchit Pension Plan

• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (ABSLI), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has recently launched a new retirement solution called ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan. This plan is specifically designed to help individuals plan for their retirement by providing a 100% guaranteed corpus, ensuring a secure and uninterrupted income during their golden years.
• The ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan offers several key features. Firstly, it allows policyholders to accumulate a guaranteed corpus by providing accrued guaranteed additions throughout the policy term. Additionally, a loyalty addition is provided at the end of the policy term, as long as the policy remains active and all premiums have been paid. These features ensure that policyholders can accumulate a fully guaranteed corpus by their desired retirement age, guaranteeing a steady income after retirement.
• Another notable aspect of the plan is its flexibility, as it allows policyholders to defer the Vesting Benefit for up to 10 years. This flexibility ensures that individuals can align their retirement planning with their specific life goals.

Infosys signs $454 million deal with Danske Bank for digital transformation

• Infosys has announced a long-term collaboration with Danske Bank to drive the bank's digital transformation ambitions with speed and scale. The projected agreement worth is $454 million for a 5-year term with the possibility to renew for an extra year up to three times.
• This agreement, according to the company's exchange filing, shall help Danske Bank accomplish its strategic priorities of enhanced client experiences, operational excellence, and a modernised technological environment powered by next-generation technologies. As part of this agreement, Infosys will also buy Danske Bank's IT centre in India, which employs over 1,400 people.

Manipal Technologies partners with Indian Bank to offer customized banking solution

• Manipal Technologies Limited has stated that it has partnered with state-owned Indian Bank to drive financial inclusion by offering customised banking products.
• The partnership aims to build a sustainable network of corporate business correspondents (CBCs) that will enhance the availability, affordability, and accessibility of financial services, particularly in underserved markets and rural areas, it said in a release.
• As part of this association, Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL) will work closely with Indian Bank to offer tailor-made banking products in rural locations. The initial focus will be serving more than 600 locations and gradually expanding the presence in newer regions in states such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab,

REC to provide ₹3,045 cr finance to Bangalore Metro

• REC Limited, a Public Sector Enterprise under the Union Ministry of Power, has announced its decision to provide financial assistance of Rs 3,045 crore to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for the Phase-II project of Bangalore Metro.
• The assistance was approved by the REC Board during a meeting. The Ministry of Power released a statement confirming the extension of financial support to BMRCL.
• About: Phase-II project of Namma Metro - The Phase-II project of Namma Metro includes the extension of the existing East-West Corridor and North-South Corridor of Phase-I, as well as the addition of two new lines: RV Road to Bommasandra and Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara.
• These new metro lines will help alleviate traffic congestion in high-traffic areas of Bangalore. Upon completion of Phase-II, the Namma Metro network will cover a total distance of 114.39 km and have 101 stations.