Daily Current Affairs- 7 September 2023

Today's Current Affairs 7th September 2023

INTERNATIONAL

UNGA President Formulates Priorities for 78th Session

• The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced with Dennis Francis taking on the role of General Assembly President. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of addressing the numerous global challenges currently confronting the world.
• The 78th session of the General Assembly, themed ‘Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all,’ focuses on several critical areas.
• Challenges to Peace: The session acknowledges the challenges posed by climate change, conflict, and poverty to achieving global peace.
• Geopolitical Divides: Geopolitical divisions have made it challenging for many countries to pursue positive societal changes. The session welcomes initiatives aimed at greater transparency and accountability, including the UNGA’s Security Council veto initiative.
• Prosperity and Development: Ensuring prosperity, particularly in regions with development deficits, is a priority. This involves enhanced financing, technology, debt sustainability, and capacity building.
• Key Workstreams: The session identifies critical workstreams, including the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) and the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It also highlights forthcoming events like the SIDS4 conference in 2024 and the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Rwanda in 2024.

 Tabreed to set up Asia's largest district cooling project in Hyderabad

• In a significant development for sustainable infrastructure and environmental responsibility, Tabreed, an Abu Dhabi-based cooling-as-a-service provider, has unveiled plans for a massive $200 million investment. This investment is directed towards the development of a cutting-edge cooling infrastructure with a capacity of 125,000 refrigeration tons (RT) for Hyderabad Pharma City, a burgeoning hub for the pharmaceutical industry in India.
• Tabreed’s leadership, represented by its India head Sudheer Perla, engaged in discussions with a state government delegation led by Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao and Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary of IT and Industries for the Government of Telangana, to solidify their commitment to this transformative initiative. This endeavor marks a milestone in public-private cooperation, particularly in the domain of cooling services, with the goal of offering a groundbreaking model to multiple customers within a single campus.

 NATIONAL

Govt OK's Rs 3,760 crore for 4,000 mwh battery energy storage system

• The Union Cabinet has given its nod to a groundbreaking scheme aimed at bolstering India’s renewable energy sector by supporting the development of a 4 gigawatt battery energy storage system by 2030-31. This scheme will provide viability gap funding to make battery storage more economically viable, with a focus on enhancing the integration of solar and wind energy into the grid.
• The V.G.F. scheme for B.E.S.S. projects boasts an initial outlay of Rs 9,400 crore. It includes a budgetary grant of Rs 3,700 crore, showcasing a substantial government commitment to advancing energy storage technology.
• The V.G.F. will be disbursed in five tranches, strategically linked to the various stages of B.E.S.S. project implementation.

 SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

IAF & Drone Federation of India to co-host Bharat Drone Shakti - 2023 at IAF airbase in Hindan Ghaziabad

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is collaborating with the Drone Federation of India to co-host ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023.’ This upcoming event, scheduled for the 25th and 26th of September 2023, will take place at the IAF’s airbase in Hindan (Ghaziabad). It is anticipated to be a pioneering exhibition highlighting the prowess of the Indian drone industry, with more than 50 live aerial demonstrations.
• ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ is set to impress attendees with a diverse array of live aerial demonstrations. The event will encompass a wide range of drone applications, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, heavy-lift logistics drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions. This comprehensive exhibition will underscore the versatility and innovation present within the Indian drone sector.
• Anticipated to attract approximately 5,000 attendees, ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ will bring together a diverse audience. This includes representatives from central government bodies, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, paramilitary forces, as well as delegates from friendly nations. The event will also be a platform for academicians, students, and drone enthusiasts to engage with cutting-edge developments in the field.

One Week One Lab programme of CSIR to be organised from 11th to 16th September 2023

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is all set to host its annual “One Week One Lab” programme, an exciting event where each of its 37 cutting-edge laboratories situated across the nation will unveil their remarkable research outcomes and accomplishments.
• The Science and Technology Ministry is extending a warm invitation to the public, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of CSIR’s various departments and experience firsthand its exceptional academic and research initiatives.

 OBITURY

Arun Kumar Sinha, Director of SPG Responsible For PM’s Protection, Passes Away

• Arun Kumar Sinha, who served as the Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), has passed away at the age of 61 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gurugram, where he had been receiving medical care for some time. Sinha held a pivotal role in the security apparatus of the country, as he was responsible for providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India. This significant duty underscores the magnitude of his contributions to the nation’s security.
• Arun Kumar Sinha, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1987 Kerala cadre, had a distinguished career spanning multiple decades. His journey in the Special Protection Group (SPG) began in March 2016, when he assumed the role of its 12th director. His appointment was made on a contractual basis, lasting until May 31, 2024, at the rank and compensation level of director general of police. On May 31, he was granted a one-year extension in service, underscoring his unwavering commitment to his responsibilities. This tenure allowed him to lead the SPG with utmost dedication and professionalism.

Malini Rajurkar, Hindustani vocalist whose 'tappa' renditions were epic, passes away at 82

• Noted Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, who epitomised simplicity and depth, passed away in a Hyderabad hospital. She was 82 and had been suffering from age-related ailments. She has performed in major music festivals in India, including Gunidas Sammelan (Mumbai), Tansen Samaroh (Gwalior), Sawai Gandharva Festival (Pune), and Shankar Lal Festival (Delhi). She is noted especially for her command over the Tappa and the Tarana genre. She has also sung lighter music. Her renditions of Marathi natyageete, pandu-nrupati janak jaya, naravar krishnasamaan, ya bhavanatil geet purane have been particularly popular.
• Malini Rajurkar was born in Ajmer in Rajasthan in 1941. She studied music from the Ajmer Music College, under the guidance of Govindrao Rajurkar and his nephew Vasantrao Rajurkar, who was to become her future husband. She was an exponent of Gwalior gharana and one of the foremost proponents of ‘khayal’ and ‘tappa’ genre.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Global Fintech Fest 2023

• In a remarkable comeback, the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) is set to reclaim its title as the world’s largest fintech conference in 2023. This year’s event promises to be a spectacular showcase of innovation and collaboration in the fintech industry. Let’s delve into the highlights of GFF 2023.
• The conference commenced with a prestigious inauguration ceremony graced by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance, Government of India. Her remarks emphasized the transformative role of fintech in India’s financial landscape.
• GFF 2023 revolves around a central theme that embodies the fintech industry’s aspirations and responsibilities.Theme: ‘Global Collaboration for a Responsible Financial Ecosystem: Inclusive | Resilient | Sustainable’

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Indian-American physician-author Siddhartha Mukherjee on UK non-fiction prize list

• A book by Indian-American cancer physician and researcher Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee has been longlisted for the prestigious 50,000 pound Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in London. ‘The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human’, which is among the 13-book longlist announced, highlights how cellular research has revolutionised medicine, enabling the treatment of life-altering diseases including Alzheimer’s and AIDS.
• The judging panel described the 53-year-old Rhodes scholar’s work as his “most spectacular book yet”.
• His other works include, ‘The Gene: An Intimate History’, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, and ‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer’, which won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction. An Associate Professor of medicine at Columbia University, Mukherjee graduated from Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. He has published articles in many journals, including Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, Cell, The New York Times and The New Yorker.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI Card Launched ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’ for MSME Segment

• SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, has introduced the ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card‘, a specialized credit card tailored for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This new card is designed to address the short-term credit needs of MSME merchants while providing them with a range of exclusive benefits. The official unveiling of the SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card took place at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, with Mr. Dinesh Khara, Chairman of State Bank of India, doing the honors.
• The launch of the SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card serves to empower the broader MSME sector by offering them interest-free short-term credit. Considering the significant role played by MSMEs in fostering economic growth and job creation, it becomes imperative to streamline their access to formal credit in a more convenient and prompt fashion.
• The SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card offers several key features and benefits tailored to meet the unique needs of MSMEs: