Today's Current Affairs 27th June 2023

NATIONAL

IAF carries out Exercise Ranvijay with focus on integrated operations 

• The Indian Air Force carried out Exercise ‘Ranvijay’ with a focus on integration on Sunday (June 25). It was conducted from different air bases of the command headquarters of IAF in Prayagraj. The IAF conducted day and night operations with its various combat fleet including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft, a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• About ; Exercise 'Ranvijay - The Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Ranvijay with a focus on integration and joint operations. The aircraft showed the capability of the Sukhoi and IAF to conduct night operations. It also displayed great coordination between man and machine as well as the IAF’s capability to carry out operations under any circumstances.
• The exercise has proven that the IAF is capable of taking on challenges and protecting the nation's skies from India's adversaries with its technological capabilities. Moreover, the integration of the three tri-services will help thwart threats from India's adversaries along the Western and Northern Border.

1000-year-old pillars with Jain sculptures found near Hyderabad 

• Two 1000-year-old square pillars with sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras (a saviour and spiritual teacher of the dharma), were found on the outskirts of the city in Rangareddy district’s Moinabad village.
• The information about the pillars was first shared by P Srinath Reddy, a young archaeologist and heritage activist, following which a senior archaeologist E Sivanagireddy inspected the spot , He said the two pillars, including one granite and another black basalt, were carved with four Jain Tirthankaras namely, Adinatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha and Vardhamana Mahavira.
• The pillars bore inscriptions in Telugu-Kannada language, where the visible part of the inscription refers to a Jain Basadi (monastery) located close to Chilkur village. Sivanagireddy opined that the pillars might have been brought from a local dilapidated Jain temple and fitted to the sluice some 100 years ago.

 Adani Group founder Gautam Adani launches "Jeetenge Hum" campaign 

1. The Adani Group celebrated its Foundation Day, honoring the Indian cricket team that won the 1983 World Cup. The event, dubbed “Adani Day,” took place on the 61st birthday of the group’s founder, Gautam Adani. The Adani Group launched the “Jeetenge Hum” campaign during the event, with the goal of rallying support for Team India and boosting morale ahead of the upcoming ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023.
2. About: Jeetenge Hum" campaign - The launch of the campaign commemorates the 40th anniversary of India’s historic victory in 1983. While launching the campaign, Gautam Adani emphasised the importance of cricket as a unifying force in the country. The campaign encourages Indian cricket fans to unite as one, and rally behind Team India with #JeetengeHum on Twitter and Instagram, backing the team’s quest for victory and boosting their morale.
3. This campaign draws inspiration from the Adani Group’s ethos, “Kar ke dikhaya hai, Kar ke dikhayenge,” symbolizing an indomitable spirit of achievement in both cricket and business. The “Jeetenge Hum” campaign champions the belief that winners, having tasted victory before, will inevitably relish it again—an inner conviction that precedes their satisfaction and pride in the public eye.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Unian Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala launched NANDI Portal 

• Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched NANDI - NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System portal at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. With this portal, DAHD will facilitate the regulatory approval process with transparency to assess and examine veterinary product proposals will be more streamlined through seamless integration with the SUGAM portal of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.
• Shri Rupala expressed appreciation for the outstanding work of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and highlighted the initiative as a significant step towards advancing Digital India and promoting the well-being of livestock and the livestock industry. The launch of the NANDI portal is another notable undertaking following the animal vaccination coverage initiative and Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs).
• This initiative would also provide valuable support to researchers and industries from a commercial perspective. By raising awareness among livestock rearers and improving logistical facilities, there would be an increase in the consumption of drugs. Union Minister stressed the importance of closely monitoring the portal's activities for a few months to establish a robust system. Shri Rupala expressed appreciation for the contributions of all stakeholders, including CDAC, in the development of the NANDI portal.

OBITURY

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Hardwar Dubey Passes Away 

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh Hardwar Dubey breathed his last on Monday morning in New Delhi. He was a sitting MP elected to the Rajya Sabha in November 2020.
• The late Dubey, 74, was also elected as a member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Agra Cantonment assembly segment in 1990s and served as a minister in the Kalyan Singh ministry in 1991. The late Dubey, who was closely associated with the Sangh parivaar and its affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was made state spokesperson and vice-president of the BJP in 2011 and 2013 respectively, before being elevated as a Rajya Sabha member.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the demise of the BJP MP and described him a hardworking leader. “Deeply saddened by the demise of hardworking BJP MP Hardwar Dubey ji. He was such a grassroots leader, who will always be remembered for his important contribution in the development journey of Uttar Pradesh. May God give strength to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. om Shanti,”

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis wins second term as Greek’s PM 

• Greece's conservative New Democracy party chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis secured a clear parliamentary majority, winning a second four-year term as Prime Minister of Greece on Sunday, CNN reported. The 55-year-old leader emerged victorious with more power as his party achieved a resounding victory in the elections.
• Mitsotakis, in his victory speech, said that "We have high targets that will transform Greece...Today we will celebrate our victory, tomorrow we will roll up our sleeves," according to CNN.
• Mitsotakis' New Democracy party received over 40 percent of the vote, securing at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament with around 96 percent of the votes counted. The main leftist opposition party, Syriza, was far behind in the early results, receiving over 17 percent of the vote.

Mastercard's Michael Miebach joins USISPF Board of Directors 

1. Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach has joined the board of directors of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF). Observing that USISPF is a critical forum for business and government leaders to come together and drive the next phase of growth in the US-India partnership, Miebach said he believes the relationship between the two countries will define the future of the global economy and shape their ability to tackle the most pressing global challenges together.
2. This strategic alliance aims to foster collaborations in various sectors and promote the growth and development of both economies.
3. By joining forces, both countries aim to drive innovation, promote digital transformation, and address global challenges. With Mastercard’s exemplary work in advancing the global digital economy and its alignment with India’s digital vision, this strategic partnership holds great promise for shaping the future of both nations.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World MSME Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Day 

• The United Nations designated June 27 as Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, When in 2017, the United Nations designated June 27 as Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, was not only an acknowledgement to the significant contribution made by MSMEs to the global economy but was also an to honour their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They promote innovation, creativity and decent work for all.
• History - The United Nations General Assembly on 6 April 2017 designated 27 June as “Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day" (A/RES/71/279) to raise awareness of the tremendous contributions of MSMEs to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Theme - The theme MSME Day 2023 in India is “Future-ready MSMEs for India@100." The Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade is also celebrating the day with “Building a Stronger Future Together" theme of this year. The global body is also launching #Brand10000MSMEs Network, a dynamic platform where MSMEs from around the world can connect, learn, and grow together.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited 

• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited in the presence of the Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW, Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, DA&FW and other senior officers of the Ministry at New Delhi.
• Shri C. S. Murthy, Director, MNCFC signed the MOU on behalf of Government of India, where as Shri Abhishek Krishnan, Chief of Staff represented M/s Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited.It aims to develop various geospatial solutions on pro bono basis for the Indian Agriculture Ecosystem using Pixxel’s hyperspectral dataset.
• The project focuses on leveraging sample hyper-spectral data from Pixxel’s path finder satellites to develop analytics models focused on crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments. This will enable the Government to develop use cases with hyperspectral data provided by PIXXEL. MNCFC on behalf of the DA&FW will associate with Pixel team for developing and implementing the suitable methodologies.

RANKING

India ranked 40th spot in 2023. Global Competitiveness Index, Denmark shines again 

• India has dropped three spots to the 40th position on the latest Global Competitiveness Index released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), a Moneycontrol report said. While this represents a decline from last year, it is an improvement from the 43rd rank secured in 2019-2021.
• The IMD's World Competitiveness Centre (WCC) report highlighted India's progress in government efficiency but pointed out lagging performance in business efficiency, infrastructure, and economic performance. Key factors contributing to India's score were exchange rate stability, compensation levels, and advancements in pollution control.
• The report cited by Moneycontrol also identified several challenges India is expected to face in 2023. These include sustaining high GDP growth, managing financial market volatility, controlling inflation and fiscal deficit, accelerating digital transformation, and mobilizing resources for infrastructure development.