Daily Current Affairs- 23 April

Today's Current Affairs 23rd April 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Oliver Dowden appointed as UK's new deputy prime minister

Oliver Dowden, a long-term ally of Rishi Sunak, has been appointed as the new deputy prime minister following Dominic Raab’s resignation over a damning report into his conduct.

Oliver Dowden has been the MP for Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire, since 2015. Before becoming an MP, Dowden worked for PR firm Hill & Knowlton and as former prime minister David Cameron’s deputy chief of staff.

He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on October 25, 2022, before being appointed Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office in February 2023.

Mr Dowden is a key ally of Rishi Sunak, and was a vocal backer for Mr Sunak in both Tory leadership contests last year.

Over the years, the newly chosen deputy prime minister was previously Minister without Portfolio, Cabinet Office between September 2021 and June 2022. Before that, he was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media ,and Sport between February 2020 and September 2021.

His career harks back even earlier, with other roles in the Cabinet Office, such as paymaster general and minister, and parliamentary secretary.

NATIONAL

PM Modi to release Rs 100 coin to mark 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat

The government will release a new Rs 100 coin this Sunday, April 30, to commemorate the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio show Mann Ki Baat. The coins will be minted under the authority of the central government.

The new coin of Rs 100 will be 44 mm in size. It is made from four metals – silver (50 percent), copper (40 percent), nickel (0.5 percent) and zinc (0.5 percent).

The face of the coin will bear the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre. 'Satyamev Jayate' will be inscribed below it. On its left side, the word 'Bharat' in Devanagari script will be inscribed, while on the right side, 'India' in English will be written.

The coin will also bear the Rupee symbol "₹" and the denominational value "100" will be mentioned in the international numerals below the Lion Capital.

IGGL completes Asia's largest underwater hydrocarbon pipeline

Asia's largest underwater hydro-carbon pipeline, below the river Brahmaputra connecting Jorhat and Majuli in Assam has been completed by the Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), the company's CEO Ajit Kumar Thakur said on Saturday. The challenging task of laying a 24-inch diameter hydrocarbon pipeline beneath the mighty Brahmaputra river by Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method was completed on Friday, marking the completion of a major milestone in the construction of the North East Gas Grid (NEGG) connecting North East India to the National Gas Grid.

The total length of the pipeline in this single HDD crossing is 4,080 metre across the main water channel of Brahmaputra river. This is the longest river crossing by any hydrocarbon pipeline of size 24-inch diameter and above in Asia and the second longest in the world,

 IMPORTANT DAYS

English Language Day

English Language Day  coincides with both the birthday and death day of William Shakespeare and World Book Day that is 23 April . The English language is one of the most popular languages used across the world. The day prospects the development, history, culture, and achievements associated with the language.

English is the most widely spoken language or a "world language". Therefore, it is known as the lingua franca of the modern era. Along with French, English is also the working language of the United Nations (UN). English Language Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Global Communications. It established language days for each of the Organisation’s six official languages.

English is the most widely spoken language or a "world language". Therefore, it is known as the lingua franca of the modern era. Along with French, English is also the working language of the United Nations (UN). English Language Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Global Communications. It established language days for each of the Organisation’s six official languages.

The language days are as follows:

• Arabic (18 December)
• Chinese (20 April)
• English (23 April)
• French (20 March)
• Russian (6 June)
• Spanish (23 April)

The main purpose of the UN's language days is to observe multilingualism and cultural diversity. The days also promote the equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organisation.

At the UN, the Language days aims to entertain and to inform about the goal of raising awareness and respect for the history, culture, and achievements of each of the six working languages among the UN community.

Basav Jayanti: 2023

In memory of Lord Basavanna's birthday, Lingayats in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra observe the festival known as Basava Jayanti. The birth of Lord Basavanna, who is regarded as the founder of the Lingayat community, is celebrated to commemorate the beginning of a new era known as the Basavanna or Basaveshwar era.

As per the traditional calendar, Lord Basaveshwar was born on the third day of Vaisakh month. Basav Jayanti is a public holiday in Karnataka. This year Basav Jayanti is being celebrated on April 23

In Karnataka, where Basavanna has a sizable following, Basava Jayanti has been proclaimed a state holiday. People from different cities and villages in Karnataka celebrate it grandly. People come to the Lord Basaveshwar temples on this day to offer prayers. It's a significant day, particularly for farmers. The practice of Lingayat committees organising various events is widespread in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. On Basava Jayanti, people exchange pleasantries and sweets. Many people choose to travel to Kudalasangama, which holds numerous cultural and spiritual events over a week-long period for the Basav Jayanti celebration

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

SAIL-BSL signs MoU with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL)

SAIL-Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has entered into an MoU with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) to explore potential of application of 5G/ IT/ Telecom and other wireless communication technologies in SAIL-Bokaro Steel Plant including SAIL’s Mines & Collieries, Central Coal Supply Organization and the SAIL Refractory Unit in Jharkhand. The MoU was signed at SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant on 21st April, 2023. From SAIL- BSL side B.K.Tiwari, Executive Director (Works) and from TCIL side Ms Alka Selot Asthana, Executive Director (IT & Telecom) signed the MOU in the presence of senior officials from both the organizations.

SAIL-BSL has taken this initiative of becoming the first PSU in the country to take initiative for setting up a dedicated 5G network with the help of TCIL which will pave way for application of 5G/ IT / Telecom technologies in Steel manufacturing. Besides steel plant, this partnership will also be useful in providing innovative solutions in SAIL Mines and Collieries in Jharkhand, Smart Cities etc.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar co-chairs 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd. In a tweet, he said, there was comprehensive discussions on agriculture, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, ayurveda and wellness, defence cooperation, human resources, technology and innovation and infrastructure development.

Dr Jaishankar also witnessed exchange of agreements in Migration and Mobility and Air Connectivity. He encouraged Indian officials to continue the close contacts and facilitate stronger business to business ties. The External Affairs Minister also addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table. He also called on Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Phillips.

RANKING

India reaches 38th spot on World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index

India has reached the 38th spot on World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index. In 2014, India was ranked 54th. It climbed 16 places from 2014 to 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it an encouraging trend, powered by government reforms and focus on improving logistics infrastructure. In a tweet, he said these gains will reduce costs and make country’s businesses more competitive.

Note: Singapore tops the List ,