Today's Current Affairs 8th April 2023

INTERNATIONAL

China Begins 3-Day Military Drills In Retaliation To Taiwan President’s Meet With US House Speaker

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s Eastern Theatre Command announced that China will hold three days of military exercises around Taiwan from Saturday. Taiwan’s defence ministry said that it detected 42 Chinese aircraft and eight warships around the island. The drills began on Saturday after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States.

China will hold “combat readiness patrols” and exercises around the Taiwan Strait and to the north, south, and east of Taiwan “as planned”, the PLA announced in a brief statement without offering other details, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

According to CNN’s report, the Eastern Theater Command called the drills “a serious warning against the Taiwan separatist forces’ collusion with external forces, and a necessary move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The exercises, dubbed “United Sharp Sword,” would feature “combat-ready patrols and exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait, and to the north, south and east of Taiwan and the sea and airspace as planned,” Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said in a statement, as quoted by the report.

The drills would focus on China’s “capabilities to seize control of sea, air, and information under the support of our joint combat system,” as per the PLA.

North Korea Tests Second Underwater Nuclear Drone In Two Weeks

North Korea has tested another underwater nuclear drone in a recent demonstration of its military power and show of strength. This comes just around two weeks after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on March 27 in its flurry of weapons tests, said South Korea's military. North Korea conducted a test of the nuclear-capable unmanned underwater weapon Haeil-1 from April 4 to April 7, reported news agency Reuters. It said the drones cruised 1,000 km for about 71 hours and hit the target.

North Korea had fired two short-range ballistic missiles on March 27 in its flurry of weapons tests, said South Korea's military. The launch was conducted after reports surfaced that Seoul and Washington were involved in a joint amphibious landing exercise. This took place just days after the completion of their largest joint military drills in over five years.

NATIONAL

Indian Rafale to participate in French Military exercise with NATO

In a first, Indian Rafale combat aircraft are likely to participate in a multinational wargame codenamed Orion which is being hosted by France involving many of its NATO and other important allies.

The aircraft likely to take part in the exercise are likely to be from the Western Air Command of the force which has the Golden Arrows squadron as part of it, they said.

The exercise is taking place in France with the Russia-Ikroane war in the backdrop where NATO led by US is opposing the Russian moves against Ukraine.

The Rafales of the IAF have earlier participated in wargames with foreign countries which took place within India including the ones with French Air Force in Jodhpur codenamed Desert Knight.

The French Air Force would be taking part in the wargames with its NATO and other allies with their Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft.

PM Modi Inaugurates New Integrated Terminal Building Of Chennai Airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a series of new projects in the aviation and railway sectors. The PM inaugurated the state-of-the-art integrated terminal building set up at a total outlay of Rs 2,437 crore at the Chennai airport.

After the inauguration, PM Modi inspected the arrangements made in the airport. PM Modi and CM Stalin also shared warm gestures during the inauguration.

The PM was accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Minister of State L Murugan. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin was also present at the event.

The new terminal, equipped with 108 immigration counters, is spread across 2.20 lakh sq metres and would cater to the growing air traffic in Tamil Nadu. "With the annual passenger handling capacity of 35 million passengers, the modern facility at the Chennai Airport will improve air travel experiences for all," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

Prior to the visit, the state witnessed protests by Congress against PM Modi visiting the city. The Congress members held black flags and said slogans like 'Go Back Modi' at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai.

The PM also flagged off the special Vande Bharat Express between Chennai and Coimbatore, the first such service connecting two Tamil Nadu cities.

PM Narendra Modi In Telangana Flags Off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express in Telangana where he is also set to lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 11,300 crore. PM Modi also participated in a public meeting at Parade Ground before heading to Tamil Nadu.

The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express, connecting Hyderabad with the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrim passengers. As One can reach Tirupathi from Hyderabad in about 8 hour 30 minutes by this train,

"The redevelopment of the Secunderabad Railway Station, to be done at a cost of Rs. 720 crore, is being planned such that it will undergo a massive makeover with world-class amenities and aesthetically designed iconic station building. The redeveloped station would be having double-level spacious roof plaza with all passenger amenities in one place along with multi-modal connectivity for providing seamless transfer of passengers from rail to other modes among others," the PMO statement mentioned.

PM Modi Flags Off Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the 13th Vande Bharat Express train which will operate between Chennai and Coimbatore at Chennai MGR Central Railway Station on Saturday. The newly-inaugurated Vande Bharat Express will operate between the two cities on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The express train is likely to cover the distance in 5.50 hours which is 1.20 hours faster than the normal train. The train will operate at a speed of 130 Kmph.

The PM was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Governor RN Ravi.

President Droupadi Murmu Takes Sortie On IAF's Sukhoi 30 MKI Fighter Aircraft In Assam.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday took a sortie on the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft in Assam. She arrived at Tezpur Air Force Station and was accorded Guard of Honour on her arrival.

On Friday, she inaugurated the 'Gaj Utsav 2023' at the Kaziranga National Park to mark 30 years of Project Elephant, After the inauguration, the President witnessed cultural performances Bhortal, Jhumur and Bihu dance forms conducted by Assamese artists at Kohora. President Murmu also interacted with the people of Assam on the sidelines of the event.

About the Aircraft - The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi and built under licence by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

PM participates in 125th Anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 125th Anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math at Vivekananda House in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister paid floral tributes and performed puja and meditation in Swami Vivekanand’s room. The Prime Minister also released a book on Holy Trio on the occasion.

Started in Chennai in 1897 by Swami Ramakrishnananda, the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are spiritual organizations engaged in various forms of humanitarian and social service activities.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed happiness to be present on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Ramakrishna Math’s service in Chennai and said that he deeply respects Ramakrishna Math in his life. Expressing his affection and love for Tamilians, the Tamil language, the Tamil culture and the vibe of Chennai, the Prime Minister mentioned visiting Swami Vivekanand's house in Chennai where he stayed after returning from his trip in the West. He remarked that meditating in this house was a very special experience for him and he now feels inspired and energized. The Prime Minister expressed happiness about the outreach of ancient ideas to younger generations through technology.

KSINC launches solar-powered tourist vessel

Sooryamshu, a double-decked solar tourist boat from the stable of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC).

The ₹3.95-crore vessel that can carry up to 100 passengers was built at a yard in Sri Lanka and is among the few in Kochi whose safety and allied features are certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). It has a diesel generator to provide backup in case need arises. There is an air-conditioned conference hall-cum-DJ floor in the lower deck and a cafeteria-cum-dining area in the upper deck. There is also a lift to help differently abled and aged people to reach the upper deck and back,

KSINC plans to use the Sooryamshu for two tour packages. The first one, named the Kadamakkudy package, will offer tourists sightseeing and kayaking for Rs. 799. Kadamakkudy is a group of 14 islands situated within 10 kilometers of Kochi city. The second package will take tourists to the Matsyafed farm in the Ernakulam district, where they can enjoy kayaking, paddling, fishing, and savoring exclusive seafood offered by the farm.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Anshuman Singhania and Arnab Banerjee are new ATMA office bearers

Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd has been elected as the new Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), the national industry body for the automotive tyre sector in India.  Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Ltd, takes over as Vice-Chairman of ATMA.

Singhania, the new ATMA Chairman, is a graduate from Oxford Brookes University, UK and an alumnus of London Business School. He has held several positions in Planning, Production, Product Development, Quality Control, Stores and Purchase, Finance as well as Sales and Marketing. Being a tech-savvy person, he has played a key role in implementing the latest technologies in the manufacturing process at JK Tyre.