Today's Current Affairs 3rd April 2023

INTERNATIONAL

‘MF Hydra’: World’s first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry

MF Hydra, the world’s first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry operated by Norwegian company Norled, is breaking ground as it starts sailing on zero-emission hydrogen with a blessing from the Norwegian Maritime Authority. is a hybrid that uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells.

The ferry is put into operation today, 31 March, running on zero-emission hydrogen and marking a historic day, both for Norled and for Norway as a leading shipping nation, Norled’s CEO Heidi Wolden said.  The company officials also said it has been carrying out system tests at the quay in Hjelmelands since the turn of the year. In recent weeks, the company has been running sea trials and received the final approvals from the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).

MF Hydra is now set to sail on the triangular route between Hjelmeland-Skipavik-Nesvik in Norway,

The ferry  has a length of 82.4 meters and can carry up to 300 passengers and 80 vehicles. With its two 200 kW fuel cells, two 440 kW generators, and two Shottel thrusters, it can travel at a speed of 9 knots

NATIONAL

10th Edition of Indian – Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime exercise SLINEX-2023 begins in Colombo

The 10th Edition of the annual Indian – Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime exercise SLINEX-2023 begins in Colombo today 3rd April. The exercise is being conducted in two phases of three days each, the Harbour Phase followed by Sea Phase. The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Kiltan and INS Savitri while Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Samudura. In addition, the Indian Navy Chetak helicopter and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft along with Sri Lanka Air Force Dornier and BEL 412 helicopters would also participate in the exercise. The exercise will also have the Special Forces of the two navies participate together.

SLINEX-2023 will aim to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures in multi-faceted Maritime operations between both Navies. The Harbour Phase would include sports fixtures, yoga sessions and cultural events which would provide an opportunity for personnel from both navies to learn from each other, and re-enforce shared values as well as build bonds of friendship and camaraderie.

PM Modi inaugurates Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of CBI in New Delhi

About: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  - The Central Bureau of Investigation was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India dated 1st April 1963. So it has been 60 years of the agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on April 3. at 12pm. The event took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi,

He also released a Postage Stamp and Commemorative Coin marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration year of CBI. PM Modi also launched the Twitter handle CBI.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister conferred the President’s Police Medal to 18 officers of CBI for their distinguished Service. He also gave away Gold Medal to three officers for Best Investigating Officers. The Prime Minister also inaugurated newly constructed office complexes of CBI at Shillong, Pune and Nagpur. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Senior officials of CBI were also present at the event.

Eravikulam National Park gets a fernarium: first in a hill station

Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, India, has recently established a Fernarium, which is a unique garden that showcases a wide variety of ferns. The Fernarium is the first of its kind in the hill station and has already planted 52 varieties of ferns. The goal is to increase the number of ferns in the park to cover all 104 varieties found in the area. The Fernarium has been set up near the orchidarium and will be open to the public from April 20. The park officials hope that this new attraction will provide visitors with awareness about the park’s biodiversity.

The Fernarium at Eravikulam National Park is more than just a collection of plants. It is also a vital tool for conservation and education. The Fernarium showcases the unique ecology of the area and helps visitors understand the importance of preserving the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. The Fernarium will also serve as a resource for researchers and botanists to study the different fern varieties found in the park.

The Fernarium is a fascinating place for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts. It provides a peaceful environment to observe the different fern varieties up close. Visitors can learn about the different types of ferns and their ecological significance. The Fernarium is also a great place for photography, with the beautiful and unique foliage of the ferns making a perfect backdrop.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Neeraj Nigam new RBI executive director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Neeraj Nigam as executive director (ED) with effect from April 3, 2023. He was the regional director of RBI’s Bhopal office.

As executive director, Nigam will look after the consumer education and protection department, financial inclusion and development department, legal department and secretary’s department.

“Shri Nigam has, over a span of more than three decades, served in Regulation and Supervision, Human Resource Management, Premises, Currency Management, Bank Accounts and other areas in the Reserve Bank, in its Central Office as well as Regional Offices,” RBI said in a statement, adding that he holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Barkatullah University in Bhopal.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Sudha Shivkumar is now president of FICCI women's wing

Chennai-based Sudha Shivkumar took over as the 40th President of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women-led and  women-centric business chamber of Southeast Asia.

As the 40th National President of FLO, Shivkumar will focus on empowering women by facilitating an enabling environment that promotes entrepreneurship, industry participation and economic development of women.

“Development of entrepreneurship among women has been central to FLO’s philosophy and mission. Taking this vision forward my  focus during her tenure would be to transform the power of woman’s voices into forward thinking economic initiatives by changing perceptions and influencing policies," Shivkumar said.

Shivkumar is a lawyer and investment banker by profession. Her career spans over 32 years. She has worked for large organisations and mutual funds, managing international portfolios and spearheading non-profit ventures, all while keenly mentoring and inspiring women from all walks of life.

Shivkumar completed her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Madras. She specialised in Corporate and Bankruptcy laws to build her expertise in these fields and completed a Master of Applied Finance with specialization in Investment Banking from Macquarie University, Sydney, with distinction.

For 13 years, Shivkumar headed a leading non-banking reputed finance company, following which she led the operations of a South-India-based mutual fund with assets under management of Rs 25,000 crore. For seven years, she handled a Rs 350-crore portfolio of an international group of high net worth individuals.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Holy Monday 2023

The Christian population over the globe is celebrating, Holy Monday today. It is the second day of Holy Week in Western Christianity, following Palm Sunday, and the third day of Holy Week in Eastern Christianity, following Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday. Holy Monday, according to the Bible, is the day after Jesus was welcomed with palm fronds and the day before Judas resolved to betray him. Let's learn more about its background and importance.

Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter begins on Holy Monday, also known as Great and Holy Monday. On this day, Jesus Christ proceeded on foot from Bethany to Jerusalem. The gospels claim that on this day, Jesus Christ cursed the fig tree, purified the temple, and answered those who questioned his authority.

Holy Monday's roots go back to the start of Lent. St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia coined the phrase "Holy Week" for the first time in the fourth century, thus establishing the holiday. Whereas, in the third century only Good Friday and Holy Saturday were honoured as holy days.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Mahila Samman Savings Certificates, 2023 - Small savings, big benefits for Nari Shakti

On 1st April 2023, the Ministry of Finance issued the Gazette Notification for Mahila Samman Savings Certificates, 2023 which has been made available in 1.59 lakh Post Offices with immediate effect. Keeping the financial independence of women in focus, the scheme was proposed in Union Budget 2023-24.

The Union Budget 2023-24 outlined the vision of Amrit Kaal which envisions a prosperous and inclusive India. To realise the vision, the fruits of development must reach each and every citizen of India and especially women. The savings scheme is seen as a significant step towards financial inclusion and empowerment of women, including girls.

Interest rates on all the small savings schemes, except Savings Deposit and PPF, have been upwardly revised with effect from 1st April 2023. The two-year tenure scheme offers a fixed interest of 7.5% interest compounded quarterly. It has flexible investment and partial withdrawal options with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 2 lakh. The scheme is valid for a two-year period upto 31st March 2025.

National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme, 2019 has been amended through National Savings (Monthly Income Account) (Amendment) Scheme, 2023 and the maximum investment limit has been raised from Rs.4,50,000 to Rs. 9 lakh for a single account and from Rs. 9 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh for a joint account with effect from 1st April 2023.  Likewise, the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, 2019 has been amended through Senior Citizens Savings (Amendment) Scheme, 2023 and the maximum investment limit has been raised from Rs. 15 lakh to Rs.30 lakh.

India and Malaysia can now trade using Indian rupee ( INR )

India and Malaysia can now use the Indian rupee to settle trade in addition to other currencies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday.

The move follows the decision by the Reserve Bank of India in July last year to allow the settlement of international trade in Indian currency.

"Trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in Indian Rupee (INR) in addition to the current modes of settlement in other currencies," the MEA said.

"This follows the decision by the Reserve Bank of India in July 2022 to allow settlement of international trade in Indian Rupee," it said in a statement.

The MEA said the RBI's initiative is aimed at facilitating the growth of trade and supporting the interests of the global trading community in the Indian rupee

 India International Bank of Malaysia (IIBM), based in Kuala Lumpur, has operationalised this mechanism by opening a special Rupee Vostro account through its corresponding bank in India that is Union Bank of India,