Today's Current Affairs 7th March 2023

INTERNATIONAL

China Gives Assurances For Sri Lanka's Debt Recast, Paves Way For $2.9-Billion IMF Bailout

China has given assurances that it will support Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, according to Bloomberg. This development has cleared the biggest hurdle for the island nation to secure a $2.9-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor gave written support for the debt restructuring via the Export-Import Bank of China on March 6, according to sources privy to the development. The letter meets the requirements of the IMF.

NATIONAL

India- France Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 to begin at Thiruvananthapuram

The maiden Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army will be conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on March 7 – 8. For the first time, both the armies are engaging in this format with each contingent comprising a Company Group each from the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Army troops and French 6th Light Armoured Brigade. The exercise is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, coordination and cooperation between both forces at tactical level.

Indian Navy Successfully Test-Fires Indigenous Medium Range Missile From INS Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy on Tuesday successfully carried out a test-firing of a Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) from frontline warship INS Visakhapatnam, the defence force tweeted on Tuesday March 7, As per the officials, the test firing has now validated the capability to engage the weapon as an anti-ship missile, it said.  

Conrad K Sangma sworn-in as Chief Minister of Meghalaya

In Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma has been sworn-in as Chief Minister of the state, for the second consecutive term, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP senior leaders. Meghalaya Governor Chagu Chauhan has administered the oath of office and secrecy at a grand ceremony held at Shillong this morning

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

S.S. Dubey takes charge as Controller General of Accounts (CGA)

Shri S.S. Dubey took charge as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). Shri Dubey is the 28th Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Shri Dubey, a 1989-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) officer, is appointed by the Government of India as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) with effect from 6th March, 2023. Prior to taking charge as the CGA, Shri Dubey was Additional Controller General of Accounts, Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

IMPORTANT DAYS

3-day Cycling Race held to commemorate 72nd Air Force Day in Sri Lanka ( 2 March )

An Indian Air force cycling team participated in a Cycling Race organised by Air Force of Sri Lanka. The three-day Cycling Race of 395 kilometres was held to commemorate the 72nd Air Force Day in the island nation. The visiting team interacted with High Commissioner and Commander Sri Lankan Air Force. The team also paid their respects to the martyrs of the Indian Peace Keeping Force during their visit.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

ONGC signs MoU with France's TotalEnergies for deep-water exploration

India's top explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding with French major TotalEnergies for exploration of deep-water blocks, The MoU seeks to provide technical help for ONGC's push to explore and reduce green house emissions in development of deep-water blocks especially in Mahanadi and Andamans, off India's east coast.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu wins BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year award 2022

Tokyo Olympic Games silver-medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has bagged the 2022 ‘BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year’ award after a public vote. The 28-year-old weightlifter from Manipur became the first athlete to win the award twice in a row after bagging it in 2021 as well.

At the Tokyo Games, she had become the first Indian to win a silver in the sport. Last year, she went on to secure gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She also won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2022.

Sipra Das gets Lifetime Achievement honour in National Photography Awards ceremony

Thirteen photographers including senior photojournalist Sipra Das have been conferred with National Photography Awards in various categories at a function in New Delhi. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan today gave away the awards in presence of Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Apurva Chandra. Photojournalist Sipra Das has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Six photographers each were conferred in the category of  Award for Professional Photographers and Award for Amateur Photographers.

BHEL bags CBIP Award 2022

BHEL has been awarded the CBIP Award 2022 for 'Best Contribution in Solar Energy'. The award was received by Dr. Nalin Shinghal, CMD, BHEL, along with Ms. Renuka Gera, Director (IS&P), BHEL from Sh. R.K. Singh, Hon'ble Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, on CBIP Day. CBIP awards are conferred for outstanding contribution to the development of water, power and renewable energy sectors.