Current Affairs

4^th March 2023

Top 20 Daily Current Affairs: National & International News

Here is the Current Affairs 4th March 2023 covering the following news headlines: ‘Catch the Rain 2023’, Ales Bialiatski, Gold Deposits, Exercise Shinyuu Maitri, National Security Day, Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank.

National News

1. ‘Catch the Rain 2023’ campaign to be launched by President Murmu

The ‘Catch the Rain 2023’ campaign was introduced by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. The campaign’s central idea is the sustainability of drinking water sources.

Addressing at the ceremony, the President stated that since India only has 4% of the world’s water resources, water management and conservation are India’s most pressing challenges.

President Droupadi Murmu claimed that due to uncontrolled urbanisation, traditional methods of water conservation have been abandoned in the nation.

The President emphasised that these issues—water scarcity and global warming—are consequences of it.

International News

2. Ales Bialiatski, Nobel laureate sentenced prison for 10 years in Belarus

Ales Bialiatski, a leading defender of human rights in Belarus and a candidate for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, was given a 10-year prison term in Minsk, the Capital of Belarus.

Ales Bialiatski and three other key members of the Viasna human rights organisation he created were found guilty of funding rallies against the government.

After widespread protests over a 2020 election that delivered autocratic President Aleksandr Lukashenko a second term in office, they were detained and imprisoned.

Since taking government in 1994, Lukashenko has repressed dissent and cracked down on independent media.

State News

3. Gold Deposits Found at Different Location in Three Districts of Odisha

Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallik has informed the state Assembly that Gold deposits have been found at different locations in three districts of Odisha, including Deogarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj.

The Minister informed that the State Directorate of Mines and geology and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted a preliminary survey and found the presence of gold deposits in the Adas area of Deogarh, Gopur, Gazipur, Kusakala, Adal, Saleikana, Dimirimunda, and Karadanga area of Keonjhar.

Defence News

4. IAF Participated in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with Japan Air Self Defense Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

The Exercise Shinyuu Maitri is being organized on the sidelines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which was conducted from 13 February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu, Japan.

The Indian Air Force is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The Exercise has been conducted on the 1st and 2nd of March 2023. The first phase of the exercise consists of discussions on transport operations and tactical maneuvering, followed by the second phase of flying drills by IAF’s C-17 and JASDF C-2 transport aircraft.

Business News

5. Foxconn to invest nearly 1 billion USD in Bengaluru

A 300-acre plot adjacent to Bengaluru’s international airport has been agreed upon by Foxconn, a Taiwanese company that assembles iPhones, as the location for its largest technology manufacturing campus in India.

The Foxconn company plans to make incremental investments totaling less than $1 billion, helping the southern state establish itself as a hub for electronic manufacturing and positioning itself as a rival to China for suppliers.

Over the following few years, it is estimated that the financing would create 100,000 additional jobs.

Banking News

6. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance launches ABSLI Nishchit Aayush Plan

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL) launched a new-age savings solution ABSLI Nishchit Aayush Plan, which aims to provide financial security to policyholders while also providing long-term savings benefits.

The ABSLI Nishchit Aayush Plan is a non-linked, non-participating life insurance plan offering guaranteed regular income starting from as early as end of first policy month along with a lump-sum benefit at maturity.

The plan integrates financial protection and wealth creation by empowering the policyholders to fulfil their immediate liquidity requirements without any risk. 

7. RBI imposes restrictions on Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank

The Reserve Bank of India imposed a Rs 5,000 cap on withdrawals by individual customers from Tamil Nadu-based Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank as part of several restrictions slapped on the lender due to its deteriorating financial condition.

The restrictions on the lender will remain in force for six months from the close of business on March 3 and are subject to review, the RBI said in a statement.

With curbs in place, the cooperative bank, without approval of the RBI, cannot grant loans, make any investment, and disburse any payment. The lender cannot also dispose of any of its properties, among others.

Important Days News

8. National Security Day 2023 observed on 04th March

India celebrates National Security Day on March 4 every year. Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas is another name for it, and it is a holiday honouring the Indian Security Forces.

The purpose of the National Security Day is to express gratitude to our nation’s security forces, which include the police, paramilitary units, guards, commandos, army officers, and other units involved in preserving the safety and security of our citizens.

The National Safety Council of India announced the theme for this year to be ‘Nurture young minds – Develop safety culture’. The NSC announces a new theme for the year to celebrate the week-long celebration.

9. National Safety Day 2023 Observed on 04th March

National Safety Day is observed on March 4 annually with an in aim to promote safe working environment and ensure safety of people in all aspects.

National Safety Day 2023 is marked to raise awareness about safety measures and protocols so that any kind of untoward incident can be averted.

The campaign is comprehensive, general and flexible with an appeal to the participating organisations to develop specific activities as per their safety requirements. This year will mark the onset of the 52nd National Safety Day.

The theme for 2023 National Safety Day is ‘Our Aim – Zero Harm’.

10. World Obesity Day 2023 Observed globally on 04th March

World Obesity Day is observed on March 4 every year to promote practical solutions and help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight while undertaking proper treatment.

Obesity is a global problem that affects everyone. Around the world, approximately 800 million people are living with the disease while millions are at risk to get affected.

The World Obesity Day highlights one of the biggest health crises faced by about 1 billion people across the planet, today. That number is expected to climb to 1.9 billion people, by 2035. Obesity in children is expected to jump by 100 per cent between 2020 and 2035. One in every four people may be obese by 2035.

World Obesity Day returns on 4 March 2023 with the theme: ‘Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity’.

Summits and Conferences

11. National Youth Parliament Festival Fourth Edition

National Youth Parliament Festival Fourth Edition was held in the Parliament of India in the national Capital, New Delhi.

On the first day of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) finals in the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Shri Nisith Pramanik gave a speech. During the first day, a continuation of the competitive session was planned.

12. President Murmu inaugurates 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference 2023 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 15 countries will participate in the three-day conference.

The 7th edition of the conference has a theme of “Eastern Humanism for the New Era” and has been planned in collaboration with Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, whose vice chancellor Dr Neerja Gupta also jo

ined President Murmu.

Agreements News

13. Tata Steel Mining signs MoU with GAIL to get clean fuel

In order to reduce carbon footprint in its operations, Tata Steel Mining Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with GAIL (India) Limited for supply of natural gas to its ferro alloys plant at Athgarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district.

According to the MoU, GAIL will supply the agreed quantity of natural gas through its pipeline from Gujarat to Athgarh.

14. India and Australia sign a framework mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications

India and Australia signed a Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications that will help ease the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries.

While the two countries will recognise the degrees, professional registrations of engineering, medicine and law pass-outs will remain outside the framework’s ambit.

Ranks and Reports

15. World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Report 2023

Economic growth and strength are boosted by gender equality, according to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Report 2023.

It increases labour force participation and results in a more effective allocation of resources.

Women may engage more fully in the economy and realise their full potential when they have equal access to economic opportunities, which boosts productivity and growth.

16. Mumbai Ranks at 37th Place Globally in Price Growth in Luxury Housing

Mumbai’s jumped to rank 37 from 92 in a global list of movement in prices of luxury homes as the city saw a gain of 6.4 percent during the 2022 calendar year.

Property consultant Knight Frank virtually released ‘The Wealth Report 2023’ in which Mumbai has ranked 37th.

Knight Frank Report states that the value of the Prime International Residential Index (PIRI 100) which tracks the movement in luxury house prices across the world increased by 5.2 percent YoY (year-on-year) in 2022.

Schemes News

17. Select central govt employees get one-time option to opt for old pension scheme

In a major move, a select group of central government employees have been given a one-time option to opt for old pension scheme, according to a Personnel Ministry order. The employees who joined the central government services against posts advertised or notified before December 22, 2003, the day National Pension System (NPS)

was notified, are eligible to join the old pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), said the order.

This option may be exercised by the government servants concerned latest by August 31, 2023. The move came following various representations/references and court decisions in this regard, it said.

18. ‘SWAYATT’ promoting start-ups on GeM, turning to be a huge success

The government e-Marketplace (GeM) held a celebration to celebrate “SWAYATT,” a programme to support start-ups, women, and youth advantage through e-Transactions on GeM, which has been a major success. SWAYATT is a programme that seeks to increase the benefits of e-Transactions on government e-Marketplaces (GeM) for startups, women, and young people.

It is important to note that by registering more than 8.5 lakh Micro and Small Businesses (MSEs) on the GeM portal and helping MSEs secure over Rs. 1.87 lakh crore in sales spread across 68 lakh+ orders, the GeM promotes social and financial inclusion.

Awards News

19. Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry gets Porter Prize 2023 in managing COVID-19

Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has received the Porter Prize 2023. It recognized the government’s strategy in managing COVID-19, also the approach, and involvement of various stakeholders especially involvement of ASHA workers in the industry to create PPE Kits.

The prize was announced during The India Dialog at Stanford University. The country’s contribution in developing and manufacturing vaccines was also lauded.

The theme of the two-day conference was The Indian Economy 2023: Innovation, Competitiveness and Social Progress.

Obituaries News

20. Former Chief Justice of India AM Ahmadi passes away at 90

Former Chief Justice of India A.M. Ahmadi has passed away at the age of 90. Ahmadi was the chief justice from 1994 to 1997.

His judicial career as a City Civil and Session Court judge in Ahmedabad, he was the only Chief Justice of India who started at the very lowest rank to rise to the highest position of the Indian judiciary.