Today's Current Affairs 9th January 2024

INTERNATIONAL

'India has always been a first responder to various crises,' says Maldives' tourism industry amid row over ministers' remarks

• According to official data, more than 2 lakh Indians have visited the Maldives annually in the last three years, marking the highest influx from any country post-Covid pandemic.
• The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) issued a statement on Monday, expressing strong condemnation for the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms, as the India-Maldives row intensified amid concerns related to Lakshadweep.
• "The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry strongly condemns the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms, directed towards the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi as well as the people of India. India is one of our closest neighbours and allies. India has always been a first responder to various crises throughout our history and we are immensely grateful to the close relationship that the Government as well as people of India have maintained with us," said MATI in a statement.
• Over 2 lakh Indians visited Maldives annually in the last three years, the highest from any country post-COVID 19 pandemic, according to the official data, reported PTI, amid calls from several quarters to boycott the island nation as a travel destination following a diplomatic row between the two nations.
• According to the Maldives Tourism Ministry statistics, over 17 lakh tourists visited the island nation in 2023, out of which more than 2,09,198 visitors were Indians followed by Russians (2,09,146) and China (1,87,118).
• The number of Indian visitors was more than 2.4 lakh in 2022 while over 2.11 lakh Indians flew to the Maldives in 2021. The Maldives was also one of the few countries open for international tourists during the pandemic and nearly 63,000 Indians visited that country during that period.

 NATIONAL

ONGC initiates the inaugural oil production in the Krishna-Godavari deep-water block.

• On January 7, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a prominent energy exploration and production company in India, reached a noteworthy milestone by initiating the first oil production from the deep-water KG-DWN 98/2 Block.
• Located in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin off the Bay of Bengal on the Kakinada coast, this development marks a crucial step forward in India’s energy landscape.
• The anticipated peak production from the 98/2 field is remarkable, with expectations set at around 45,000 barrels of oil per day and over 10 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per Day (MMSCMD) of gas.
• As the project advances, ONGC is actively working towards the final phase of the 98/2 block, with efforts underway to commence the production of the remaining oil and natural gas by mid-2024.

The government plans to invest ₹60,000 crores in the development of river cruise tourism and eco-friendly vessels.

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal revealed a substantial government investment of Rs 60,000 crore by 2047 in the advancement of river cruise tourism and environmentally friendly vessels. This initiative is geared towards bolstering tourism, improving water transport infrastructure, and generating employment opportunities.
• Sonowal outlined the plan, stating that Rs.45,000 crore would be allocated to river cruise development, increasing passenger capacity from 2 lakh to 15 lakh by 2047. Additionally, the government plans to invest Rs.15,000 crore over the next decade in green transport, intending to develop 1,000 environmentally friendly vessels and ferries.

 OBITURY

Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German footballer and World Cup-winning captain, has passed away at the age of 78 

• Franz Beckenbauer, one of only three men two have won the FIFA World Cup as a player and as a manager, has died at the age of 78.
• Born in Giesling, Munich, in September 1945, Franz Beckenbauer journey with football began in Bayern’s youth squad, making his debut as a left-winger in 1964. Despite Bayern’s earlier struggles, Beckenbauer’s versatility and leadership saw them rise, winning their first Bundesliga title in 1968-69.
• Beckenbauer’s international career started at 20, marking the beginning of a golden era for West Germany. He led the team to victory in the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup, earning him the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976. His impact extended beyond position norms, showcasing exceptional ball control and vision.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Indra Mani Pandey has officially taken on the position of Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

• Indra Mani Pandey, a seasoned diplomat and a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has assumed the role of the new Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• Pandey assumed charge as the 4th Secretary General of BIMSTEC at its secretariat in Dhaka.
• He replaced Tenzin Lekfel of Bhutan.
• His tenure in this prestigious post will be for three years.
• This marks the first time an Indian official has held the key post of Secretary General in the BIMSTEC regional grouping.

About Indra Mani Pandey :

• Pandey is a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
• He was serving as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva before assuming the new assignment.

About BIMSTEC :

Established : 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.

Headquarters : Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BIMSTEC is an international organization of South Asia and Southeast Asian countries.

Its members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also referred to as NRI Day, is annually observed on the 9th of January 

• NRI Day 2024, also recognized as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024, is observed on the 9th of January 2024.
• It was in 2000 when the Indian government decided to recognize the NRI community on January 9th by observing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India on January 9, 1915, from South Africa, which gives the ninth of January its significance as NRI Day.
• Despite being formally established in 2000, this day wasn't actually observed until 2003.

More information about the background of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is provided here:

• The idea for NRI Day originated with Indian lawyer, diplomat, and author L.M. Singhvi.
• The day was then formally declared on January 9, 2002, by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the country's then-prime minister.
• On 9th January 2006, the concept of OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) was introduced on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Narayana Health has received approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to launch its health insurance business.

• Narayana Health has obtained approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to enter the health insurance business in the country.
• The company operates one of the largest hospital chains, known by the brand name Narayana Hospital.
• With this approval, the count of Standalone Health Insurance Companies (SAHI) will increase from 5 to 6.
• This marks the fifth registration granted by IRDAI in approximately one year, encompassing Life, Non-life, and Health segments.
• IRDAI has set a goal of achieving 'Insurance for All' by 2047, with a particular focus on improving the penetration of non-life insurance companies, which currently stands at 1 percent.
• India's overall insurance penetration is expected to decrease to 4 percent in the financial year 2022-23 from the previous level of 4.2 percent in 2021-22.

About IRDAI :

Established : 1999

Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana

Chairman : Debasish Panda

The IRDAI is a statutory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) ,Government of India (GoI) and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and reinsurance industries in India.