Today's Current Affairs 6th October 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh gets first uranium shipment from Russia for nuclear power plant

• Bangladesh recently received its first shipment of uranium from Russia, which will be used to fuel the country’s Rooppur nuclear power plant. The plant, financed and constructed by Russia’s Rosatom.
• The Rooppur power plant, located in Ishwardi, Bangladesh, will generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity when both units are fully operational.
• This capacity will provide electricity to approximately 15 million households in Bangladesh, making a substantial contribution to the nation’s energy needs.
• Russia has funded the construction of the Rooppur power plant with an $11.38 billion loan.
• Bangladesh will begin repaying this loan over a period of two decades, starting in 2027.
• Once the Rooppur plant begins production, Bangladesh will join the ranks of over 30 countries with operational nuclear power reactors.

 NATIONAL

First ever yak milk product, Arunachal Pradesh Yak Churpi, gets GI tag

• Slightly sour and salty churpi, a naturally fermented cheese prepared from the milk of Arunachali yak, nurtured in the high-altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh, has recently received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Churpi, rich in protein, has been a lifeline for tribal yak herders in the harsh, vegetation-starved, cold, and hilly mountainous regions of the state.
• Churpi, a traditional cheese made from yak milk, has been a staple food for tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The yak herders, belonging mainly to the Brokpa and Monpa tribes in West Kameng and Tawang districts, rely on churpi as a substitute for vegetables in their diet.

Poll-bound Madhya Pradesh notifies 35% quota for women in govt jobs

• In an important development towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced a groundbreaking policy to reserve 35% of all state government job positions for women, excluding the Forest Department. This progressive amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Special Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997.
• The notification states, “Notwithstanding anything contained in any service rules, there shall be reserved 35% of all posts in the service under the state (except Forest Department) in favor of women at the stage of direct recruitment, and the said reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise.”

Telangana to get Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu

• On October 4th, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a tribal university in Telangana, named The Sarakka Central Tribal University. This university, with a budget of Rs 889 crore, will be located in Mulugu district.
• The initiative was a commitment made by the Central government as a part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which aimed to support both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in establishing tribal universities.
• The Telangana tribal university project faced significant challenges, primarily related to land allocation. Securing 500-600 acres of land for the university proved to be a time-consuming process.

Nokia CEO Lauds India’s 5G Rollout, Launches 6G Lab in Bengaluru

• Telecom giant Nokia has made a significant stride towards the future of wireless technology with the establishment of its state-of-the-art 6G lab at the company’s global R&D center in Bengaluru, India. This “first-of-its-kind” project is set to revolutionize the way we perceive and interact with the digital and physical worlds.
• Nokia’s 6G lab in Bengaluru is more than just a research facility; it’s a hub for innovation and collaboration among industry stakeholders. The lab offers a platform for various stakeholders to come together and test groundbreaking solutions, assessing their potential for commercialization.

OBITUARY

Veteran Trade Union Leader Anathalavattom Anandan Dies

• Veteran CPI(M) leader and former legislator Anathalavattom Anandan, who played a key role in building the trade union base for the party in the state, passed away at a hospital on Thursday. He was 86 years old.
• Anathalavattom Anandan was born in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, in 1937. His journey in the world of politics began in 1954 when he actively participated in an agitation advocating for higher wages for coir workers in his village.
• In 1956, Anandan became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) and remained steadfast even after the party split in 1964.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Government Extends tenure of SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara Until August 2024

• In a significant development, Centre has decided to extend the tenure of Mr. Dinesh Khara as the Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest lender, until August of the following year.
• It is began on October 7, 2020, for a three-year term, is now set to continue until he reaches the age of 63.
• Dinesh Khara, the man at the helm of India’s largest commercial bank, has a remarkable career trajectory within the State Bank of India. He embarked on his journey with the bank as a probationary officer in 1984, marking the beginning of a distinguished service record spanning almost four decades.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi

• Narges Mohammadi “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 to to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.The regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
• The motto adopted by the demonstrators – “Woman – Life – Freedom” – suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.

 Bal Sahitya Puraskar in Manipuri language for Dilip Nongmaithem

• The Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution, has once again recognized and celebrated outstanding literary contributions with the prestigious ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar‘ for the year 2023. This time, the honor has been conferred upon Dilip Nongmaithem, an accomplished author in the Manipuri language, for his remarkable work titled “Ibemma Amasung Ngabemma.”
• In this instance, a panel of distinguished literary experts comprising three members, namely Dr. Hamom Nabachandra Singha, Dr. Khundongbam Gokulchandra Singh, and Prof. Naorem Bidyasagar Singha, played a pivotal role in evaluating the nominated works.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI launches ‘Mobile Handheld Device’ for its financial inclusion customers

• In a groundbreaking move aimed at enhancing accessibility and convenience in availing banking services, the State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced the ‘Mobile Handheld Device‘ for its Financial Inclusion (FI) customers. This pioneering initiative, unveiled by the Chairman of SBI, Shri Dinesh Khara, seeks to empower financial inclusion and extend essential banking services to the masses.
• Financial inclusion, often referred to as inclusive finance, is the endeavor to ensure that financial products and services are within reach and reasonably priced for everyone, whether they are individuals or businesses, regardless of their personal wealth or the size of their company.