Today's Current Affairs 8th May 2023

NATIONAL

Shantanu Thakur flags off vessel ‘M.V. MSS Galena’ from V.O. Chidambaranar Port

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur flagged off the vessel ‘M.V. MSS Galena’ from V.O. Chidambaranar Port, as the Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin to Maldives.

During visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Maldives in June 2019, Prime Minister of India & President of Maldives dwelt on need to improve connectivity between India & Maldives through establishment of enabling infrastructure, which shall also give impetus to bilateral trade between two countries. To take this forward and to reaffirm the mutual understanding between the two Nations this service is being operated as a culmination of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for Establishment of Passenger and Cargo Services by Sea between Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, and Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Government of Maldives on 08.06.2019, during the State Visit of Prime Minister of India to Maldives. This is also in line with ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the vision of Security and Growth for all in the Region.

About: M.V. MSS Galena - The vessel ‘M.V. MSS Galena’, a vessel with carrying capacity of 421 TEUs of containers & provision to carry bulk cargo, deployed by Shipping Corporation of India, arrived at  PSA SICAL Container Terminal on 04.05.2023.  It was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal. ‘M.V. MSS Galena’ will sail from Tuticorin to Male on 05.05.2023. It is scheduled to reach Male on 07.05.2023. The rotation of this shipping service is Tuticorin – Male – Tuticorin, and is scheduled to make 3 calls a month.

Uttar Pradesh to get its first Pharma Park

The first Pharma Park of the state will be built in Bundelkhand, which is one of the backward areas of Uttar Pradesh. The state government has given green signal to the project of setting up a Pharma Park in Lalitpur district of Bundelkhand. For this, the state government will transfer 1500 hectares of land to the Animal Husbandry Department in Lalitpur district. The state government will spend Rs 1560 crore on development works and providing necessary facilities to the investors in Lalitpur Pharma Park.

The state government has made necessary amendments in its policy for the establishment of Pharma Park in Uttar Pradesh and to encourage the industries set up here. According to the revised policy, all the facilities and subsidies etc. will be given to the entrepreneurs setting up units in Pharma or Medical Device Park. Entrepreneurs setting up units in Pharma Park will be given 100 per cent exemption in stamp duty on land purchase, along with capital subsidy, housing construction for workers, employment generation, etc., will be given subsidy by the government

Rajnath Singh inaugurates country's first Indian Air Force Heritage Centre in Chandigarh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a first-of-its-kind Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre in Chandigarh. The minister said it is a testament to the courage and dedication of all those who served in the force and a reminder of their invaluable contributions in protecting the nation

The centre has been set up under a memorandum of understanding between the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the IAF which was signed last year. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit, The centre also depicts the role of the Indian Air Force during various wars including 1947, 1948,1965, and 1971 besides the Kargil Conflict and the Balakot Air Strikes.

Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh Kirron Kher were present on the occasion.

On this occasion, Defence Minister Mr, Singh sat in one of the MiG-21 aircraft on display at the centre. He also sat in a flying simulator.

This wonderful initiative will help in preserving the rich heritage of the Indian Air Force and also inspire young minds to join the armed forces

SPORTS

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz beats Jan-Lennard Struff to defend title of Madrid Open

World number two Carlos Alcaraz continued his good work from the Barcelona Open and successfully defended his title at Madrid on Sunday, 7 May. Alcaraz beat lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3 and win his fourth ATP Tour trophy of the year and his tenth overall.

The 20-year-old Spaniard had an injury-plagued start to the season but came back in top form last month to win the Barcelona Open for the second consecutive year.

About Madrid Open - The Madrid Open is a professional tennis tournament that takes place annually in Madrid, Spain. The tournament is part of the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, which are the men’s and women’s professional tennis circuits, respectively. The Madrid Open is one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world, and it is held at the Caja Magica, which is a multi-purpose stadium with three clay courts.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

IAS Vineet Joshi appointed as new Chief Secretary in Manipur

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Sunday appointed Vineet Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education as the new Chief Secretary in Manipur. Vineet Joshi, a 1992 Manipur cadre IAS officer, replaced Dr Rajesh Kumar as the new Chief Secretary.

Vineet Joshi is currently the Director-General of National Testing Agency, which is responsible for conducting entrance examinations in India. He also served as the resident commissioner of Manipur Government

Earlier in February 2022, IAS Vineet Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, was appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Red Cross Day

World Red Cross Day, is observed on May 8 every year. It commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.

History - In 1859, Henry Dunant witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers on the battlefield of Solferino, Italy, during the Second Italian War of Independence. Shocked by the lack of medical care and support, he organized local civilians to provide assistance to the wounded, regardless of their nationality. . In 1863, his efforts led to the creation of the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The ICRC aimed to provide neutral and impartial humanitarian aid during armed conflicts. The idea of World Red Cross Day was proposed during the 1920s and gained momentum in subsequent years. It was officially established during the 20th International Conference of the Red Cross in Tokyo, Japan, in 1933.

The conference designated May 8th as the day to commemorate Henry Dunant's birth and honor the humanitarian work of the Red Cross movement. Since then, World Red Cross Day has been observed annually on May 8th.

World Thalassemia Day

World Thalassemia Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 8th to raise awareness about the condition among the local public and policymakers, apart from supporting and strengthening the morale of the victims who have battled for years with this fatal disease.

On this day, many local and international organisations, patient associations, public authorities, and healthcare professionals gather together to promote the importance of prenatal screening, counselling, prevention, management, or treatment of thalassemia in a patient-centred manner.

About: Thalassaemia - Thalassaemia is an inherited (genetically transmitted) autosomal recessive disorder acquired from parents (either or both). It affects the red blood cells due to a genetic mutation, leading to the depletion of haemoglobin's alpha and/or beta-globin chains. This results in low production of red blood cells and a lack of oxygenated blood supply to the body parts.

Theme - This year, 2023, the World Thalassemia Day Theme is "Be Aware. Share. Care: Strengthening Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia Care Gap". This is a continuation of last year's "Be Aware. Share. Care" initiative.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

MoHUA and MoR jointly ink MoU with JICA for Project SMART

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Ministry of Railways jointly signed an MoU with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for ‘Station Area Development along Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail’ (Project-SMART). Project-SMART envisages to develop surrounding areas of Mumbai - Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Stations to enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters & other stakeholders and to promote economic activities in the vicinity of station areas.

The project would facilitate and enhance institutional capacity of State Governments, Municipal Corporations and Urban Development Authorities to plan, develop and manage surrounding areas of MAHSR stations. The MoU was inked for four High Speed Rail Stations- Sabarmati, Surat in Gujarat and Virar and Thane in Maharashtra; out of 12 stations in-route. Surat, Virar and Thane are Green field while Sabarmati is a Brown field development.