Daily Current Affairs- 22 April

Today's Current Affairs 22nd April 2023

NATIONAL 

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches India’s first heavy lift logistics drone

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the first of its kind heavy lift logistics drone, made by Odisha-based start-up ‘BonV Aero’, which has the capacity to transport 50kg over 10kms

BonV Aero is an IIT Mandi, AIC CV Raman Global University Odisha and NITI Aayog-backed venture building Electric Aerial Vehicles for Cargo transportation

The Chief Minister was present at the opening day of ‘Odisha Skill Conclave 2023’, where he also took a trial of the drone.

Start-up has successfully done a trial of this 'RM001' Electric Aerial Vehicle carrying 50-kilogram cargo at the altitude of 8000 to 10,000 feet in the Tawang of Eastern Command of the Indian Army forward post in Arunachal Pradesh and next a high altitude trial on 14,000 to 16,000 feet will be done," informed Co-founder and CEO of BonV Aero Satyabrata Satapathy

And, In its next phase, the startup aims to develop its flagship platform ‘RM002’ that can transport 200 kilograms of freight over 40 kilometres,

These multi-utility Air vehicles are beneficial in the disaster response and the movement of any kind of cargo/ goods where surface logistics are either unfavourable or time-consuming consuming, if we talk about Odisha which is highly disaster-prone see the Cyclone and Flood on regular bases, it can be useful in that situation, it is also many times cheaper the current alternatives, so it will help to improve accessibility and efficiency of logistics solutions, especially in the remote and Hilly terrains, - Satyabrata Satapathy, the co-founder and CEO of BonV Aero said.

SPORTS

Star Sports signs Rishabh Pant as brand ambassador

Star Sports, the official television broadcaster of IPL 2023, has signed India cricketer Rishabh Pant as its latest 'Believe Ambassador'. The Network said it also has other current cricketers as its 'Believe Ambassadors' like Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.

With this, Star Sports has expanded its roster from two ambassadors in 2017 to six now with Virat Kohli continuing his association. The company said that the ambassadors represent different parts of the country as well as different IPL teams and it will work closely with them to grow the popularity of the sport

About: Rishabh Pant - Rishabh Rajendra Pant is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Indian cricket team as a wicket-keeper batter. Having played all formats for India, he is best known for his consistency to score runs in Test cricket

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

ISRO Launches PSLV-C55 With 2 Singaporean Satellites For Earth Observation From Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches its PSLV-C55 with two Singaporean satellites for Earth observation, from Sriharikota. The PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 Mission - the PSLV has placed both satellites in the intended orbit. As per ISRO chief S Somanath.

The PSLV-C55 mission is a dedicated commercial mission through NSIL, with TeLEOS-2 as the primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite. The TeLEOS-2 is a synthetic aperture radar satellite developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Engineering for the Government of Singapore. It carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, providing all-weather day and night coverage and capable of imaging at 1 metre full polarimetric resolution for Singapore. Lumelite-4 is an advanced 12U satellite developed for the technological demonstration of the High-Performance Space-borne VHF data Exchange System (VDES) by the Institute for Infocomm Research and Satellite Technology and Research Centre of the National University of Singapore.

In December 2015, ISRO successfully placed the TeLEOS-1 satellite in the PSLV-C29 mission along with five other satellites of Singapore into a 550 km circular orbit

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

A Madhavarao set to be next CMD of Bharat Dynamics Ltd

A Madhavarao is set to be next Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a PSU under the Ministry of Defence. He has been recommended for the post by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on Monday. Presently, he is serving as Director (Technical) in the same organisation.

Madhavarao has been recommended for the post of CMD of BDL from a list of five candidates, who were interviewed by the PESB selection panel. Out of five candidates, two candidates were from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and one each from BDL, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

Madhavarao is an alumnus of various educational institutes and universities. He has a B. Tech in Electrical Engineering, an ME in Electronics & Telecommunication, an MSc in Defence Studies, an MBA in Finance with a Master's degree in Management Studies

Shantanu Roy to become new CMD of BEML Limited

Public enterprises selection board (PESB) has recommended Mr Shantanu Roy for the post of Chairman and Managing Director of 'Schedule 'A' Company under the Ministry of Defence, BEML Limited. Currently, he is serving as the Director (Mining & Construction Business) in the same company.

PESB interviewed two others in the selection meeting including Anil Jerath, Director (Finance), BEML Limited, and Sanjay Som, Executive Director, BEML Limited.

Mr, Roy is an Electrical Engineering graduate from NIT Raipur. and an MBA in Financial Management, He has served as Executive Director of BEML Limited, responsible for the international business division, strategy & new initiatives, coordination, and northern region operations, before assuming his current position in February 2023. As a six sigma black belt certified professional, he is well-versed in various models of project financing, mechanisms and processes for financial closure of large projects, international laws, arbitration rules, international legal & arbitration cases, and statutory & legal compliances.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mother Earth Day

On April 22, people unite to celebrate International Mother Earth Day. The day is to focus on the responsibility to rebuild our troubled relationship with nature. It recognizes that “the Earth and its ecosystems are our home” and that “it is necessary to promote harmony with nature and the Earth.

The term Mother Earth is used because it “reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.

The day is named International Mother Earth Day because Mother Earth, as it says in the resolution, is “A common expression for planet earth in a number of countries and regions, which reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.”

History: International Mother Earth Day was established in 2009, by the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution A/RES/63/278. The Resolution was introduced by The Plurinational State of Bolivia and endorsed by over 50 member states.

This Day also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Wing Commander Deepika Misra is first IAF woman officer to receive gallantry award

Wing Commander Deepika Misra was conferred the Vayu Sena medal by Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari , making her the first woman Air Force officer to receive a Gallantry award. She was among 58 personnel who received the gallantry award during the investiture ceremony held in the national capital.

Wing Commander Deepika Misra is a trained helicopter pilot, qualified flying instructor and an instrument-rated instructor and examiner.

On August 2, 2021, Deepika Misra was tasked to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in response to flash floods in northern Madhya Pradesh. Despite the odds of deteriorating weather, strong winds and the nearing sunset time, Deepika Misra negotiated the challenging weather and was the first and only respondent to reach the affected area the same evening.

RANKING

Union Bank of India secures 1st Rank in EASE reforms index for Q3 FY-23

Union Bank of India, for the first time, secures 1st rank as per the report on EASE Reforms Index for Q3 FY 2022-23 published by Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

Enhanced Access & Service Excellence (EASE) is an initiative by the DFS (GOI) as part of the PSB Reforms Agenda and is currently under its fifth iteration which focuses on Enhanced Digital experience, Data - driven, Integrated and Inclusive Banking.

Union Bank of India has been doing well in areas related to building analytics capabilities for retaining and deepening relationships, effective credit monitoring, comprehensive digital collection management system, fraud resilience and cyber security, adopting modern technology capabilities for integrated banking experience, customer centric digital offerings, employee development and better governance measures which resulted the Bank to continue its momentum and for the first time Bank secures 1st position among all PSBs for adopting various reforms prescribed for Public Sector Banks.

The performance of PSBs is measured on five themes under EASE 5.0, in which, Union Bank of India has set the benchmark under the four themes i.e., "Digitally - enabled customer offerings", 'Big data and analytics', 'Modern Technology Capabilities' and "Employee development and Governance" by securing 1st rank amongst PSBs.