Today's Current Affairs 9th April 2023

INTERNATIONAL

SpaceX launches NASA’s TEMPO air quality monitoring instrument

NASA’s high-resolution air pollution monitoring instrument TEMPO lifted atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 10 AM IST on Friday.

The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument is on its way to a geostationary orbit where it will monitor major air pollutants across North America. TEMPO will take important scientific observations, including that of ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and formaldehyde levels.

TEMPO is a payload on the satellite Intelsat 40E. The satellite separated from the rocket about 32 minutes into launch. It will only begin its science activities in late May or early June, according to NASA.

Using TEMPO data, scientists will be able to study rush hour pollution, the potential for improved air quality alerts, the impact of lightning on the ozone layer, the movement of pollution from forest fires and volcanoes and even the effects of fertiliser application. “The TEMPO mission is about more than just studying pollution – it’s about improving life on Earth for all. By monitoring the effects of everything from rush-hour traffic to pollution from forest fires and volcanoes, NASA data will help improve air quality across North America and protect our planet,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson,

NATIONAL

PM, Modi launched International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) in Karnataka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) during his visit to Karnataka. He also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger. PM Modi and other dignitaries gave standing ovation to Tiger at the inaugural session of commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger.

During the programme, he released the publication 'Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation', a summary report of 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves. He also released a summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).

After the launch, PM Modi said,- Project Tiger leads the way in the protection and conservation of big cats. It is part of Indian culture to protect nature. The success of Project Tiger is a matter of pride not only for India but for the whole world. India has completed 75 years of independence; and at the same time, 75% of the world's tiger population is in India.

PM Modi had also met Bomman and Bellie, the couple who featured in the Oscar-winning documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers'. He said, "The Elephant Whispers documentary that won an Oscar also reflects our legacy of the wonderful relationship between nature and creatures

Union Minister of MoSJ&E, Dr Virendra Kumar Inaugurated Second Composite Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) in M.P

Union Minister of MoSJ&E, Dr Virendra Kumar Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, inaugurated and dedicated the services of Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) on 8^th April at Old Tehsil Bhavan, Mahalangate in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. During inauguration program attended by senior officials of Central and State Government Dr Virendra Kumar stressed the needs to provide continuous and planned services to the persons with disabilities with skill development in different domain areas. He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry in making accessible environment in buildings and public places.  He also said that CRC will become a hub for innovation, education, and meet the needs for manpower and research to enable a better and quality life for persons with disabilities so that persons with disabilities will be able to contribute to the development of society.

It is also planned to bring together experts from diverse fields of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities under one roof and accelerate the services, create breakthroughs and tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing society today by persons with various types of disabilities in and around chhatrapur. The program was blessed by Shri Om Prakash Sakhlecha, Minister of Science and Technology, Medium Small-Scale Industries, and Minister in-charge Chhatarpur District, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. Speaking during the function Shri Om Prakash Sakhlecha, said that there is need towards meeting the demands of participation of persons with disabilities in “Atma nirbhar Bharat”. He thanked the Union Minister of MoSJ&E, Dr Virendra Kumar Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment for his efforts in starting the CRC-Chhatrapur in Madhya Pradesh.  Guest of honour will be Shri Pradyumn Singh, MLA, Badamalhera, Nagrik Apurthi Nigam, Shri Rajesh Prajapati, MLA Chandla, Shri Rajesh Shukla, MLA Bhijawar.

Ukraine Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister on India visit

Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova is on a four-day official visit to New Delhi, starting today. ( From April 9 – 12 ) In her first visit since the Russian invasion began in February 2021, the Ukrainian minister will meet delegates of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Dzhaparova is also expected to extend an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine.

Dzhaparova will hold talks with Verma, during which both sides are expected to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on current situation in Ukraine and global issues of mutual interest. Dzhaparova will also call on Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi and meet Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri.

In a telephonic conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in October last year, Prime Minister Modi said there could be "no military solution" and that India was ready to contribute to peace efforts.

"Over the last 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has made significant progress in the areas of trade, education, culture and defence," the MEA said. "The visit will be an occasion to further mutual understanding and interests,

Anti-submarine rockets developed by 2 Pune labs successfully tested from INS Chennai

The Extended Range Anti Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR) designed by two Pune-based facilities of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully test-fired for the first time from Navy’s INS Chennai earlier on April 3. DRDO officials said the rocket has been designed to replace the existing Russian-origin Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs).

The ER-ASR was designed and developed by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). It is designed to intercept submarines at specific depths.

The rocket system will be deployed in anti-submarine operations and will be fired from an indigenised rocket launcher mounted onboard various Indian naval ships. ER-ASR can be fired in single or in salvo mode depending on the tactical mission requirements. DRDO officials said the maiden successful test from the ship is a step towards enhancing the capability of the Indian Navy in anti-submarine warfare and towards achieving ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in defence.

DRDO officials said that ER-ASR has been designed to replace the existing Russian origin RGB rockets which are already fitted in ships. While the RGB has a range of five kilometers, the ER-ASR can achieve a range over eight kilometers.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Easter Sunday: 2023

Easter also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly A.D. 30.

The name "Easter" is believed to have originated from the Old English word "Ēastre," which was the name of a pagan festival celebrating the arrival of spring. The Christian holiday of Easter was established in the 4th century and was intended to replace the pagan celebration with a Christian one.

Easter is significant to Christians because it represents the victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. It is seen as a symbol of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. For Christians, it is a time of spiritual reflection, prayer, and celebration, often marked by attending church services, participating in special events, and sharing meals with family and friends.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to attend Spring Meetings of IMF-World Bank

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be on an official visit to the USA, beginning April 10, 2023 for attending the annual spring meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with G20 meetings.

These meetings are scheduled to take place from April 10 to April 16, 2023, in the WBG and IMF Headquarters in Washington DC. The spring meetings will be attended by finance ministers and central bankers from across the world.

She will be also hosting the Second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under India’s G20 Presidency. Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, will jointly chair the 2nd G20 FMCBG meeting on April 12-13, 2023.

The focus of these sessions will be to deliberate on issues such as addressing food & energy insecurity, managing global debt vulnerabilities, strengthening Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), mobilising finance for climate action, advancing financial inclusion, and accelerating progress on international tax and financial sector issues. The meeting will take stock of the progress made on outcomes envisaged under India’s G20 Finance Track agenda.

RANKING

Mumbai ranked 19th spot globally among cities with world's best public transport

Mumbai secured 19th spot globally to rank among cities with world's best public transport. Germany's Berlin was ranked as the city with the best public transport system globally, followed by Czech Republic's capital Prague, while Mumbai secured the 19th spot and was the top-ranked Indian city, according to the survey published by the London based ‘ Time Out ‘. a media outlet that focuses on hospitality business and labels itself as a global brand ‘dedicated to city life’.

The list that has been released by Time Out, the publisher of global city guides. The publisher polled 20,000 people in 50 cities to find out how they feel about their local mass transit systems.

The list showed a not-so-surprising pre-dominance of Asian cities in the list for best public transport system. European cities also took a chunk of the accolades, with Germany's capital city Berlin topping the list.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

More than 408.2 mn loans amounting to Rs 23.2 trn sanctioned under PMMY

The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) sanctioned more than 408.2 million loans amounting to Rs 23.2 trillion till March 24, 2023, said the finance ministry on its 8th anniversary on Saturday.

PMMY aims to facilitate easy collateral-free credit of up to Rs 10 lakh to micro-entrepreneurs for income-generating activities.

Under the scheme, loans have been divided into three categories based on the need for finance and the stage in maturity of the business. These are Shishu (loans up to Rs 50,000), Kishore (loans above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 5 lakh), and Tarun (loans above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said PMMY has played a vital role in funding the unfunded and ensuring a life of dignity as well as prosperity for countless Indians.

“Today, as we mark eight years of Mudra Yojana, I salute the entrepreneurial zeal of all those who benefitted from it and became wealth creators,” he added.

Approximately 69 per cent of the total loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs & 51 per cent loans have been sanctioned to SC/ST and OBC categories of borrowers.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said the scheme has helped in the generation of large-scale employment opportunities at the grassroots level and also has proved to be a game changer while boosting the Indian economy.