Today's Current Affairs 2nd October 2023

NATIONAL

From K Sivan to Annadurai, Tamil Nadu govt fetes 9 ISRO scientists, announces award of ₹25 lakh for each scientist

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently celebrated the achievements of nine eminent space scientists from the state, including renowned figures like K Sivan and Mylswamy Annadurai, for their remarkable contributions to India’s space program. In a special event held in Chennai on 2nd October 2023, Chief Minister Stalin announced cash awards of Rs.25 lakh for each of the scientists.

Honored Scientists

1. ISRO Chairman K Sivan, Chandrayaan-1 and 2
2. Project Director, Mylswamy Annadurai
3. Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre- ISRO V Narayanan
4. Director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, A Rajarajan
5. Distinguished ISRO Scientist, M Sankaran
6. Chandrayaan-3 Project Director, P Veeramuthuvel
7. ISRO’s M Vanitha
8. ISRO’s Nigar Shaji
9. ISRO-Propulsion Complex Director, J Asir Packiaraj

 SPORTS

Indian team (U-19) won the men’s Championship

• India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Championship after defeating Pakistan 3-0 in a dominating display in the finals at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• India U19: Lionel Daryl Rymmei, Ishaan Shishodia, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Manabir Basumatary (Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam 46th minute), Raja Harijan, Gwgwmsar Goyary, Naoba Meitei Pangambam (Kelvin Singh Taorem 81st minute), Sahil Khurshid, A Siba Prasad, Ebindas Yesudasan (Manglenthang Kipgen 46th minute), Thomas Kanamoottil Cherian.

 Football for Schools (F4S) program organized by AIFF

• A two-day master training program for capacity-building within the F4S program was launched in Sambalpur, Odisha. This event saw the participation of 95 Physical Education Teachers/Trainees from various States/UTs, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and AIFF.
• Football for Schools (F4S) is an ambitious program spearheaded by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). In collaboration with the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, and the support of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indian Navy unveils cutting-edge autonomous weaponized boat swarms and underwater vessels at Swavlamban 2.0

• The Indian Navy is preparing to host the second edition of the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Seminar, known as Swavlamban, scheduled to take place on October 4th and 5th in the vibrant city of New Delhi. The Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms and the Autonomous Vessel Underwater (AUV).
• This initiative, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aims to foster innovation and technology development within the Defense and Aerospace Sector, actively engaging Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and individual innovators to develop specialized technologies.
• The Indian Navy has entered into a significant agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for the development of Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms.

 India: IAF to conduct Astra missiles by end of 2023

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making significant strides towards enhancing its air defense capabilities with the impending induction of indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missiles. The IAF has entered into contracts with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• The first batch of Astra-MK1 missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) among other DRDO laboratories, is slated for induction by the end of 2023.
• Astra missiles have been successfully integrated onto the SU-30MKI aircraft, demonstrating their compatibility and effectiveness.
• The missile was test-fired from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas off the coast of Goa, reaching an altitude of 20,000 ft.

 APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Cricket World Cup 2023: Ajay Jadeja named Afghanistan’s team mentor for WC2023

• Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) appointed former India captain Ajay Jadeja as the team mentor for the upcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
• Ajay Jadeja, a former Indian captain and middle-order batter, has a distinguished cricketing career to his name. He played 15 Test matches for India from 1992 to 2000, amassing 576 runs at an impressive average of 26.18, with four half-centuries to his name.
• Ajay Jadeja’s contributions extend beyond international cricket. He has been an integral part of 111 First-Class matches and 291 List A games, showcasing his versatility and proficiency across different formats of the game.

 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Trio win 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for use of light to study electrons

• Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier “for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”. This year Nobel Laureates in Physics 2023 are being recognised for their experiments, which have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules.
• Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.

Sudha Murty Makes History As The First Female Recipient of Global Indian Award

• Renowned author, philanthropist and the wife of Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murthy, was honored with the prestigious Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation (CIF) at a grand Indo-Canadian gala in Toronto. The award, which carries a value of $50,000, is presented annually to an outstanding Indian personality who has left an indelible mark in their respective field.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Agri-start-ups recommended for technical & financial

• In a significant boost to the agri-tech sector, experts have recommended 24 start-ups for technical and financial support from a dedicated fund of Rs 20 crore. This transformative initiative was announced during the ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program.
• ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with four Technology Innovation Hubs. These hubs, established under the National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) at prominent Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).