Passport Index points: India ranks at 144th spot in 2023.

 According to the latest update from the Passport Index, India’s Mobility Scores have decreased, resulting in the country experiencing the largest global drop on the Index this year. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, India had a mobility score of 71, which increased to 73 in 2022 as the post-pandemic wave of increasing mobility took effect. However, as of March 2023, its mobility score has dropped to 70. This decline has occurred despite record increases in mobility as the global and national economies re-opened after the pandemic. India’s ranking has fallen by six places in 2023, resulting in an individual ranking of 144 compared to 138 in 2022.

 

The Passport Index has released its latest update, which reveals that India’s Mobility Score has dropped. Other large Asian economies such as Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Thailand have also experienced declines in their mobility scores, indicating a missed opportunity to capitalize on the global uptick in mobility recorded last year.
India’s sharp decline has been linked to the European Union’s policy of introducing visa requirements for Indian nationals, placing pressure on countries like Serbia in 2023.
China continues to underperform in comparison to countries like the USA and Germany due to its lack of visa-free agreements with blocs like the EU or regional competitors like India and Japan.
South Korea and Japan are the exceptions to the downward trend in mobility, with both maintaining their strong positions. South Korea has the highest mobility score in Asia at 174 and is ranked 12th overall. Japan is ranked 26th with a mobility score of 172, making it the closest Asian competitor to South Korea.
Only 10 countries have seen a rise in their mobility score this year, with Sweden overtaking Germany to rise to second overall. Kenya recorded the largest gain this year, jumping four places in the individual ranking, in line with the broader movements towards greater mobility in the African continent, where 40% of the ten countries showing mobility growth were African nations.... Read more at: https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/passport-index-points-india-ranks-at-144th-spot-in-2023/

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy awards declared.

 The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi has announced the fellowships, awards, and Gurupuja Puraskaram of the year 2022. Theatre person Gopinath Kozhikode, music director P.S. Vidyadharan, and Chenda/Edakka artist Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan have been selected for the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi fellowships for their contribution to the respective fields.

 

Valsan Nisari (Drama);
Babu Annur (Drama);
Suresh Babu Sreestha (Drama);
Lenin Edakochi (Drama);
Rajitha Madhu (Drama);
Kottakkal Murali (Drama);
Kalamandalam Sheeba Krishnakumar ( Dance);
Bijula Balakrishnan (Dance);
Palakkad Sreeram (Classical Music);
Thiruvizha Viju S. Anand (Violin);
Alappuzha S. Vijayakumar (Tavil);
Prakash Ulleri (Harmonium/Keyboard);
Vijayan Kovur (Light Music);
N. Lathika (Light Music);
Kalamandalam Radhamani (Thullal);
Kalamandalam Rajeev (Mizhavu);
S. Noval Raj (Kathaprasangam).

Tamil writer Perumal Murugan’s novel ‘Pyre’ makes it to International Booker 2023 longlist.

 Perumal Murugan’s novel ‘Pyre’, which deals with caste-based discrimination, has been nominated for the 2023 International Booker Prize longlist. Originally written in Tamil under the title ‘Pukkuli’, the book follows the story of a couple from different castes who flee their village, triggering a dark and ominous tale. The book was translated into English by Aniruddhan Vasudevan in 2016.

he International Booker Prize awards a cash prize of £50,000 (approximately Rs 50 lakh), which is divided equally between the author and translator, for a translated novel or short story collection published in the UK or Ireland. Perumal Murugan, a 56-year-old Tamil writer from Salem, Tamil Nadu, expressed his joy at being chosen for the 2023 longlist of the International Booker Prize. He also highlighted the issue of honor killings as a significant problem in India.

NASA to send 4 humans to live on Mars from June 2023.

 This summer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing four individuals to live on Mars on June 2023. The four “Martians” will be a part of NASA’s human exploration trip on Mars, even though the American space agency has long sought to send humans to the neighbouring planet. Also, NASA has sending satellites, the InSight lander, a rover mission with the Perseverance rover, the Ingenuity small robotic helicopter, and related delivery systems, all of which are intended to provide the Red Planet with its first comprehensive examination. The four volunteers are a part of a 12-month project to get people ready for visiting Mars. When humans eventually land on Mars, they will do so in a habitat that replicates the circumstances there.

 

 

Three such trips to Mars are being planned by NASA. Three of these specialised missions are being planned by the US space agency to learn more about the needs of Earthly habitats. the cosmic next-door neighbour. The first analogue mission will begin this year, followed by missions two and three in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Indian Government Launches DigiClaim Platform for Farmer Insurance Claims.

 The Agriculture Minister of India, Narendra Singh Tomar, has introduced a new platform called ‘DigiClaim’ on the national crop insurance portal. This platform is aimed at expediting the disbursement of insurance claims to farmers who have availed themselves of crop insurance. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the Minister used the platform to transfer a total insurance claim of Rs. 1,260.35 crore to insured farmers in several Indian states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, with just a single click.

The Indian Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, has launched ‘DigiClaim’, a new platform on the national crop insurance portal designed to speed up the payment of insurance claims to farmers who have taken out crop insurance policies. To demonstrate the platform’s efficiency, the Minister transferred a sum of Rs. 1,260.35 crore in insurance claims to insured farmers across multiple states in India, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, with a single click.

The newly launched DigiClaim platform will enable farmers to receive their insurance claims directly in their bank accounts, in a transparent and accountable manner. The technology behind this platform has been developed through the integration of the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) and the Public Finance Management System (PFMS). As a result, the platform is expected to reduce the claim reversal ratio. Moreover, farmers will be able to track the progress of their claims in real-time using their mobile phones and access the benefits of the scheme more easily.

EC chooses transgender folk artiste Manjamma Jogati as poll icon for the community.

 The Election Commission (EC) in the Indian state of Karnataka has selected Manjamma Jogati, a transgender folk dancer, as a poll icon to encourage more members of the transgender community to register and vote. Alongside Jogati, several other individuals, including cricketer Rahul Dravid and Jnanapeeth awardee Chandrashekar Kambar, have also been chosen as poll ambassadors.

The number of registered transgender voters in Karnataka has increased significantly from 4,552 in 2018 to 42,756 in 2023. However, voter turnout among registered transgender voters was only 9.8% in the 2018 Assembly elections, although this increased to 11.49% in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The selection of Jogati as a poll icon is seen as a positive step towards greater inclusion and representation of marginalized communities in the electoral process..

About the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is an Indian law that seeks to protect the rights of transgender people and promote their welfare. The law was passed by the Indian parliament in November 2019 and came into effect on January 10, 2020.
    The key features of the act include recognizing transgender people as a third gender, prohibiting discrimination against them in education, employment, healthcare, and other areas, providing for their right to self-perceived gender identity, and establishing a National Council for Transgender Persons to monitor and advise on transgender-related issues.
    Critics of the law have argued that it falls short of expectations and fails to address several important concerns. They have criticized provisions that require transgender individuals to apply for a “transgender certificate” to be recognized as such and have called for stronger protections against discrimination and violence.
    Despite the criticisms, the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is seen as a positive step towards promoting the rights and welfare of transgender individuals in ..

UNSCRAMBLE SERIES

 

Egypt joins BRICS bank as new member weeks after President Sisi’s India visit.

 After President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visited India as a chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations, Egypt has become a member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). According to sources familiar with the matter, Egypt officially joined the NDB on February 20, with a formal notification issued on March 22. The African-Arab nation intends to enhance its infrastructure, and NDB funding can make a significant contribution toward achieving this goal.

Haldwani to get a sports university: Uttarakhand CM.

 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the government will set up a sports university in the Kumaun region’s Haldwani town. Dhami, who made the announcement on the occasion of completion of one year of the formation of his government, said there had been longstanding demands from several sports associations for such a university.

The international stadium of Haldwani will be upgraded into a sports university, he said. Earlier, the chief minister also held a meeting with the officials and discussed the proposed university. Dhami said there is no dearth of sporting talent in the state, and the university will give such talented people a chance to hone and display their skills further. Uttarakhand will hold several national level sports event in the coming year.

Earth Hour 2023: All you need to know.

 Every year, people from all around the world participate in a global event known as “Earth Hour,” which aims to raise awareness about the challenges of climate change and promote energy conservation. During this event, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), participants turn off all lights and electrical appliances in their homes and offices for an hour. The WWF hopes to mobilize as many people as possible to “Give an Hour for Earth” and create the largest hour of support and solidarity for the cause.

Earth Hour is an annual event that takes place on the last Saturday of March. This year, on March 25 at 8.30 pm local time, individuals, communities, and businesses around the world are being encouraged to turn off their lights for one hour and engage in activities that benefit the environment. To raise awareness about conservation efforts, WWF has enlisted the support of numerous local celebrity influencers, and various events have been planned for March 25. For example, in Mongolia, WWF will host a sustainable fashion show featuring upcycled clothing, while in Latvia, they will host their traditional Earth Hour concert and nature hikes.

Bombay Jayashri chosen for Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2023 by Music Academy

 The Music Academy has announced that the Sangita Kalanidhi award for 2023 will be presented to Bombay Jayashri, a Padma Shri awardee and renowned Carnatic vocalist. According to the Academy’s press release, Jayashri is considered as one of the leading Carnatic musicians of the present time. She received her initial training in Carnatic music from her parents and later studied under TR Balamani and Lalgudi G Jayaraman, a celebrated violin maestro. In addition to Carnatic music, Jayashri has also received training in Hindustani music, classical dance, and the veena..

Indian-American to receive National Humanities medal from Joe Biden.

 21st and 22nd March Current Affairs
 

The White House has announced that US President Joe Biden will bestow the 2021 National Humanities Medals upon several recipients, including Indian-American actress, comedian, and writer Mindy Kaling, also known as Vera Mindy Chokalingam. The National Medal of Arts is the most prestigious award granted by the US government to artists, arts advocates, and organizations. It recognizes individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in America and served as role models through their exceptional accomplishments, assistance, or sponsorship. 

Africa-India field training exercise AFINDEX-23 to be held in Pune.

 The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023) has begun with the participation of 100 participants from 23 African countries, including Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia, among others. The exercise aims to improve interoperability and operational readiness for UN peacekeeping missions, and focuses on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations. The joint exercise is divided into four phases, including training of trainers, a Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations Phase, and a validation exercise to assess the results of the training. The exercise seeks to enhance peace and security, exchange ideas, and promote a collaborative approach in capacity enhancement of African armies. Tactical drills, procedures, and the ability to operate jointly with seamless interoperability are the primary focus of the joint exercise..

Pennaiyar River Dispute.

 The Supreme Court’s deadline for the formation of an Inter-State River Water Dispute Tribunal to resolve the disagreement over the Pennaiyar River has elapsed, as negotiations have failed to reach a resolution. The Pennaiyar River, also known as Thenpannai, is the second-largest interstate East flowing river basin among the 12 basins lying between Pennar and Cauvery basins. The river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, allows for the resolution of water disputes through a Tribunal, and its decisions are final and binding, with the same force as an order or decree of the Supreme Court, after its publication in the official gazette of the central government.

Inter-State Water Disputes: Role of Legislation and Water Disputes Tribunal

The legislation enables the Centre to regulate and develop inter-state rivers and river valleys and to declare such regulation and development under the control of the Union by law. When a request is received from any state government in respect of a water dispute, and the Central Government is of the opinion that the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, the Central Government must establish a Water Disputes Tribunal within a year. The Tribunal’s decisions are binding on all parties, and the implementation of the scheme is mandatory, ensuring a fair and just resolution of inter-state water disputes.

Seven PM MITRA (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park sites announced.

 

Rajasthan CM announced 19 new districts and three new divisions.

 On 17 March 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the creation of 19 new districts and 3 new divisions in the state during his course of the discussion on the Finance and Appropriation Bill in the Legislative Assembly. Rajasthan will now have 19 new districts and 3 new divisions, taking the number of districts to 50 and divisions to 10.

 

List of 10 happiest countries in the world for 2023.

 1. Finland

Finland is a country in Northern Europe that borders Russia, Sweden, and Norway. Helsinki, the nation’s capital, is located on a peninsula and several nearby islands in the Baltic Sea. Suomenlinna, a coastal castle built in the 18th century, as well as the chic Design District and other museums, can all be found in Helsinki. The nation’s Arctic Lapland province, a large wilderness with national parks and ski areas, offers the opportunity to view the Northern Lights.

2. Denmark

Jutland Peninsula and many islands make up the Nordic nation of Denmark. It’s linked to adjacent Sweden via the Öresund bridge. Royal palaces, the vibrant Nyhavn port, the Tivoli amusement park, and the well-known “Little Mermaid” monument may all be found in Copenhagen, the country’s capital. Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown is Odense, which has a historic centre with cobblestone streets and half-timbered homes.

3. Iceland

The stunning terrain of the Nordic island nation of Iceland, which has volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields, defines the country. National parks Vatnajökull and Snaefellsjökull provide protection for enormous glaciers. The majority of people reside in the capital, Reykjavik, which is powered by geothermal energy and has the National and Saga museums, which chronicle Iceland’s Viking history.

4. Israel

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all consider Israel, a Middle Eastern nation on the Mediterranean Sea, to be the biblical Holy Land. The holiest places are in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount complex, which is located within its Old City, houses the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock monument, the Western Wall, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Tel Aviv, the financial centre of Israel, is renowned for its Bauhaus style and beaches.

5. Netherlands

The Netherlands is a nation in northwest Europe with a flat topography that is home to canals, tulip fields, windmills, and bicycle paths. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during World War II are all located in Amsterdam, the country’s capital. From the city’s “Golden Period” in the 17th century, canalside homes and a collection of artwork by Rembrandt and Vermeer are still standing.

6. Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian country with tens of thousands of inland lakes, glaciated mountains, and coastal islands. Its major cities, including the capital and largest city in the east, Stockholm, and the coastal Gothenburg and Malmö. 14 islands make up Stockholm. Together with the mediaeval old town, Gamla Stan, royal residences, and museums like outdoor ones, it features more than 50 bridges. Skansen

7. Norway

A Scandinavian nation, Norway is home to mountains, glaciers, and extensive coastline fjords. The capital, Oslo, is a city with parks and museums. The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo has preserved Viking ships on display. The starting location for cruises to the breathtaking Sognefjord is Bergen, which has colourful wooden buildings. Very popular in Norway are hiking, skiing, and fishing, particularly in the Olympic ski resort in Lillehammer.

8. Switzerland

Switzerland is a hilly nation in Central Europe that is home to many lakes, towns, and the lofty Alps. Medieval neighbourhoods may be found throughout its cities, like the Zytglogge clock tower in Bern, the nation’s capital, and the wooden chapel bridge in Lucerne. The nation is renowned for its hiking trails and ski resorts. Key businesses include banking and finance, while Swiss goods like watches and chocolate are well-known worldwide.

9. Luxembourg

The small European nation of Luxembourg is bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It is primarily rural, with rocky gorges of the Mullerthal region in the east, the Moselle river valley in the southeast, and extensive Ardennes woodland and nature parks in the north. The iconic mediaeval old town of Luxembourg City, the nation’s capital, is guarded and set on sheer cliffs.

10. New Zealand

The island nation of New Zealand is located in the western Pacific Ocean. Around 700 smaller islands make up its two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island. By area, it is the sixth-largest island nation, with 268,021 square kilometres.

Why did FIFA change the format for the 2026 World Cup?

 The FIFA Council revised the 2026 World Cup group stage structure to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams, bringing the total number of matches up to 104 from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar..

 A nation will need to play eight games, up from the seven required since 1974, to win a FIFA World Cup.
A fresh set of 32 teams will begin the knockout stage, with the top two teams in each group and the top eight third-place teams moving on. As the tournament went from 24 teams to 32 teams in 1998, third-place teams were no longer eligible for advancement.
The new format will result in 104 matches, up from 80 in the original 2026 format and double the 52 matches at the World Cup held in the United States in 1994.
It will also be an increase from the 64 matches played at each tournament from 1998 through 2022. More tickets to sell and more content for television broadcasters to provide translates to more money for FIFA.

11. Sivasankari, the Renowned Tamil Writer, Honored with Saraswati Samman 2022.

 The KK Birla Foundation has announced that Tamil writer Sivasankari will be the recipient of the prestigious Saraswati Samman award for the year 2022, for her 2019 memoir, Surya Vamsam. This award is one of the most esteemed recognitions in Indian literature, and comes with a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a plaque, and a citation.

Literacy rate in India: Bihar lowest at 61.8%, Kerala highest at 94%.

 According to the data shared by the Ministry of Education, Bihar (61.8 %) has the lowest literacy, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65.3 %) and Rajasthan (66.1 %). Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 94%, followed by Lakshadweep at 91.85% and Mizoram at 91.33%.  The literacy rate in rural India is 67.77 per cent as compared to 84.11 per cent in urban India.

6. INS Dronacharya Receives Prestigious President Droupadi Murmu’s Colour Award.

 The Indian Navy’s top gunnery school, INS Dronacharya, will be presented with the President’s Colour in honor of its outstanding services. President Droupadi Murmu will be conferring the award as the highest recognition bestowed upon a unit by the President, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, for its exceptional service to the country.

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline to be jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline via video conference. It is first such pipeline through which refined diesel will be supplied to Bangladesh from India. The project is built under grant assistance from the government of India.

US recognized McMahon Line as international border.

 A bipartisan resolution was passed by the US, formally recognizing the McMahon Line as the international boundary between China and India’s Arunachal Pradesh. The resolution rejected China’s claim that the state belongs to its territory and instead acknowledged Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. Furthermore, the resolution expressed support for India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

International Day of Happiness 2023 celebrates on 20 March.

 The International Day of Happiness is an annual celebration that occurs on March 20. Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of happiness and the overall well-being of individuals. The United Nations initiated this event in 2013, following Bhutan’s advocacy for national happiness. Observing the International Day of Happiness prompts us to realize that happiness has a significant impact on our longevity and productivity. One way to mark the occasion is by sharing warm greetings and quotes with loved ones, inspiring them to embrace happiness.

The theme of International Day of Happiness for this year has been kept as “Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind.”... Read more at: https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/international-day-of-happiness-2023-celebrates-on-20-march/

Albert Einstein Biography: Know about the father of modern physics.

 One of the best and most influential physicists of all time, Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist who was born in Germany. The theory of relativity is what Albert Einstein is most famous for, although he also made significant contributions to the theory of quantum mechanics.

Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Wurttemberg, Germany. After six weeks, the family relocated to Munich, where he later started attending the Luitpold Gymnasium. After they relocated to Italy, Albert continued his education in Aarau, Switzerland.

Albert Einstein then enrolled in Zurich’s Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in 1896 to pursue a degree in mathematics and physics education. Albert Einstein received his diploma in 1901, the year he became a Swiss citizen, and when he was unable to obtain employment as a teacher, he agreed to work as a technical assistant in the Swiss Patent Office. Albert Einstein received his doctorate in 1905.

Albert Einstein: Interesting Facts

    During his stint at the Patent Office, and in his leisure time, he created most of his exceptional work and in 1908 he was appointed Privatdozent in Berne.
    Albert Einsteinwas appointed Professor Extraordinary in Zurich in 1909, Professor of Theoretical Physics in Prague in 1911, and Professor Extraordinary in Zurich again in 1912 to hold the same position.
    Albert Einstein was appointed Professor at the University of Berlin and Head of the Kaiser Wilhelm Physical Institute in 1914.
    Albert Einstein acquired German citizenship in 1914 and resided in Berlin until 1933, when he left for America to accept a position as a professor of theoretical physics at Princeton.
    At that time, Albert Einstein had renounced his citizenship for political reasons. In 1940, he became a citizen of the United States, and he left his position in 1945.
    Albert Einstein was a key player in the World Government Movement, turned down the invitation to lead the State of Israel, and worked with Dr. Chaim Weizmann to found the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, after World War II.
    Albert Einstein always seemed to have a distinct understanding of physics’ issues and the motivation to fix them. He had his own plan of attack and could see the major steps necessary to reach his objective.
    Albert Einstein saw his greatest accomplishments as little more than stepping stones to the next development.

Albert Einstein Career:

    Early in his scientific career, Albert Einstein became aware of the limitations of Newtonian physics, and his special theory of relativity developed out of an effort to harmonise the physical principles of mechanics with the electromagnetic field.
    Albert Einstein dealt with conventional statistical mechanics difficulties as well as situations where those problems were combined with quantum theory, which provided an explanation for the Brownian motion of molecules.
    Using a low radiation density, Albert Einstein studied the thermal characteristics of light, and his findings formed the basis of the photon theory of light.
    The correct interpretation of the special theory of relativity, according to Albert Einstein, must also provide a theory of gravitation.In 1916, Einstein published his paper on the general theory of relativity.
    In his early years in Berlin, Albert Einstein had hypothesised that the correct interpretation of the special theory of relativity must also provide a theory of gravitation.
    Albert Einstein also made contributions to the issues with statistical mechanics and radiation theory during this time.

Although Albert Einstein continued to work on the probabilistic interpretation of quantum theory and persisted with this work in America, Einstein started developing unified field theories in the 1920s. By creating the quantum theory of a monatomic gas, he made a contribution to statistical mechanics. Albert Einstein has also done important work in relation to atomic transition probabilities and relativistic cosmology.

Upon his retirement, Albert Einstein continued to work towards the unification of fundamental physics ideas, employing a different strategy than most physicists—geometrisation.
Albert Einstein Notable Work:

Of course, the results of Albert Einstein’s research are well documented, and some of his most significant publications are Special Theory of Relativity (1905), Relativity (English translations, 1920 and 1950), General Theory of Relativity (1916), Investigations on Theory of Brownian Movement (1926), and The Evolution of Physics (1950). (1938). The most significant of his non-scientific writings are likely About Zionism (1930), Why War? (1933), My Philosophy (1934), and Out of My Later Years (1950).
Albert Einstein Awards

Several universities in Europe and America awarded Albert Einstein honorary doctorates in science, medicine, and philosophy. He delivered lectures across Europe, America, and the Far East in the 1920s, and he received memberships or fellowships from all of the top scientific academies on a global scale. Albert Einstein received many honours for his contributions, including the Franklin Medal from the Franklin Institute in 1935 and the Copley Medal from the Royal Society of London in 1925.

A new initiative called ‘beggar-free city’ started in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

 In Nagpur, Maharashtra, a new project known as “beggar-free city” has been launched. Amitesh Kumar, the Nagpur City commissioner of police, announced that notification 144 CrPC has been issued in this regard. The social welfare division of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur City Police are partners in this effort. In order to accommodate homeless people in its shelters, the NMC has developed particular provisions.

This will be severely enforced by the Nagpur police, and begging is not permitted in public areas. The social welfare division of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur City Police are partners in this effort. In order to accommodate homeless people in its shelters, the NMC has developed particular provisions. The civic organisation has a bus and an ambulance on standby to transport beggars apprehended by police to its shelter residence.

World Consumer rights Day 2023 observed on March 15th globally.

 Every year on March 15, the International Consumer Rights Day is observed with the goal of promoting consumer protection and increasing global knowledge of consumer rights. The day is also used to raise awareness of global market inequities. The yearly celebration of cooperation among the global consumer movement. On this day, consumers everywhere promote their fundamental rights, call for their protection and observance, and denounce unfair trade practises..

World Consumer Rights Day 2023’s theme is “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions.” It aims to increase awareness of consumer empowerment and their responsibility to fight for a more rapid transition to renewable energy.... Read more at: https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/world-consumer-rights-day-2023/

In Ladakh, Colonel Geeta Rana is the first woman to command an army battalion.

 Colonel Geeta Rana of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers has taken over command of an independent field workshop in the Eastern Ladakh region with China after the Indian Army recently approved women officers for command posts. She is the first woman officer to do so. The Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers’ Colonel Geeta Rana is the first female officer to assume control of an Independent Field Workshop in a remote and forward area in Eastern Ladakh.

Nepal elects Ram Chandra Paudel as its next president.

 Ram Chandra Paudel has been elected to serve as the new president of Nepal. According to the Nepalese Election Commission, he received 33,800 electoral votes, while his opponent, Subash Chandra Nembwang, received 15,500 votes. Ram Chandra Paudel received votes from 352 members of provincial assemblies and 214 members of parliament.

About Nepal

    The Shah dynasty created the kingdom of Nepal;
    Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal;
    Capital: Kathmandu;
    Currency: Nepalese Rupee..

Oscars Awards 2023 Offically Announced: Check the complete Winner List.

 Oscars 2023: The 95th Academy Awards are finally announced and the fans are excited to know how India fares at Oscars 2023. The Academy Awards, or Oscars, which were originally held in 1929, recently celebrated their 95th anniversary. The Oscars held on March 13 IST in Los Angeles’ Dolby theatre. It was hosted by popular late night show host Jimmy Kimmel.

Both All That Breathes and Naatu Naatu from RRR received nominations for Best Original Song. Standing ovations were given after Deepika Padukone introduced the live performance of Naatu Naatu. In addition to Priyanka Chopra and Persis Khambatta, Deepika is the third Indian to present at the Oscars.

 

At the 95th Academy Awards, RRR’s song “Naatu Naatu” took home the Best Original Song Oscar. Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava provided the vocals for the song, which was composed by MM Keeravani and released in March 2022 with words and music by Chandrabose.

Category     Winners
Best Picture     Everything Everywhere All At Once
Best Actress     Michelle Yeoh  (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Actor     Brendan Fraser  (The Whale)
Best Director     Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schienert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Film Editing     Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Original Song     “Naatu Naatu” (RRR)
Best Sound     Top Gun: Maverick
Best Adapted Screenplay     Women Talking
Best Original Screenplay     Everything Everywhere All at Once – Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schienert
Best Visual Effects     Avatar: The Way of Water
Best Animated Feature Film     Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’
Best Actress in a Supporting Role     Jamie Lee Curtis in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Best Actor in a Supporting Role     Ke Huy Quan in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Best Documentary Feature Film     ‘Navalny’ by Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller and Shane Boris
Best Live Action Short Film     ‘An Irish Goodbye’ by Tom Berkeley and Ross White
Best Cinematography     ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ by James Friend
Best Makeup and Hairstyling     Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley for ‘The Whale’
Best Costume Design     Ruth Carter for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
Best International Feature Film     ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ – Germany
Best Documentary Short Film     ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ by Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga
Best Animated Short Film     The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
Best Original Score     All Quiet on the Western Front
Best Production Design     All Quiet on the Western Front.

Why is Indonesia moving its capital from Jakarta to Borneo?

 Indonesia is all set to move its capital from Jakarta to Borneo over environmental issues such as being congested, sinking into seawater, and being prone to earthquakes. Officials said the new metropolis city will be a “sustainable forest city,” that puts the environment at the heart of the development and will be carbon neutral by 2045.

World Kidney Day 2023 observed on 9th March.

 On the second Thursday in March each year, the world observes World Kidney Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about kidney health. On March 9, 2023, it will be remembered this year. The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations-World Kidney Alliance are working together on it (IFKF-WKA). The day has been marked annually since 2006 and is significant since it promotes everyone’s renal health.

“Kidney Health for Everyone – Preparing for the Unexpected, Supporting the Vulnerable” is the theme for World Kidney Day in 2023. The 2023 campaign will focus on raising awareness about disastrous events, natural or man-made, international or local, and their impact on people living with kidney disease whose access to appropriate diagnostic services, treatment, and care is hindered.

UNSCRAMBLE SERIES

 

S.S. Dubey takes charge as new Controller General of Accounts.

 S.S. Dubey took charge as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA). He is the 28th officer to hold the position of CGA. Prior to that, Dubey has served as Chief Controller of Accounts in Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion etc. and as Controller/Deputy Controller of Accounts in Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Revenue, Department of Supply etc. and was in-charge of budgeting, accounting, payment, internal audit etc. He also served as Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer in Bank Note Press, Dewas.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami announced the launch of self-employment scheme for single women.

 Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the launch of Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana in the state at the end of Women Empowerment and Safety Week. Women in remote villages of the state are giving impetus to the rural economy through self-help groups. Through their skill potential, women are providing strength to the economy of their families. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many efforts have been made to empower the mother power.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, steps such as linking 23 crore women to banks through Jan Dhan accounts have been taken across India. From financial inclusion to social security, quality health care to housing, education to entrepreneurship, several steps have been taken in recent years to keep women at the forefront of India’s development journey, the Uttarakhand chief minister said, adding that these initiatives will only gain momentum in the coming years.

International Women’s Day 2023- Theme, Facts and History.

 Every year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day as a focal point for the campaign for women’s rights. International Women’s Day 2023 raises awareness of topics including gender equality, access to abortion, and violence and abuse against women. International Women’s Day serves as a rallying point for advancing women’s equality. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. International Women’s Day 2023 is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911, and it has since become a global celebration that is recognized in many countries around the world. Each year, International Women’s Day has a specific theme or focus, such as ending violence against women, promoting women’s health, or empowering women in leadership roles.

 

International Women’s Day 2023: With the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” the United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day 2023 honours and celebrates the women and girls who are leading the way in the development of transformational technology and digital education. In addition to highlighting the significance of safeguarding the rights of women and girls in digital environments and tackling online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence, the observance will investigate how the growing economic and social inequities caused by the digital gender gap.

The concept of International Women’s Day first emerged in the early 1900s. Women’s Day first came into existence in 1909 and it was known as National Women’s Day. The day was initially celebrated on 28 February 1909, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights.

Around the same time in Europe, in 1910 to be precise, the second International Conference of Working Women was held in Denmark’s Copenhagen, where Clara Zetkin, who led the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day and on March 9, 1911, International Women’s Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

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.

‘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.

Karnataka end 54-year wait, wins Santosh Trophy.

 Karnataka ended their 54-year wait to win the Santosh Trophy national football championship, beating Meghalaya 3-2 in a pulsating final at the King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi Arabia capital. Services beat Punjab 2-0 in the playoff to finish third. PP Shafeel and Christopher Kamei scored in either half. Services, winners of five of the last 10 editions, took the lead in the seventh minute through a strike from distance by Shafeel before Kamei converted a left-footed attempt from outside the box.

Karnataka (Sunil Kumar 2′, Bekley Oram 19′, Robin Yadav 42′) 3 – 2 Meghalaya (Brolington Warlarpih 19′, Sheen Stevenson Sphktung 60′)

Reader of the Month February -2023

 Congratulations Arun Sagar, B.Sc III

Total Time Spent on Library : 4.46 Hours

Total Library Check In : 10

Number of Books in Circulation  : 07

Two Australian Universities to set up Campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.

 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that two Australian universities Wollongong and Deakin are set to establish campuses in Gujarat’s ‘GIFT City’. The two universities will sign an agreement on setting up their campuses during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s maiden visit to India next week.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhaannouncedng an event at Delhi University’s Venkateshwara College that hosted Australian Education Minister Jason Clare, who is on a four-day visit to the country.
Two Australian universities will be establishing campuses in the GIFT City in Gujarat. The partnership with Australia will provide accessibility, affordability, and quality of education for youngsters.
The two universities, both public, are Deakin University and Wollongong University. These are the first two foreign varsities to be setting up their campuses in GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City.
The Australian minister also announced that former cricketer Adam Gilchrist, the global brand ambassador of Wollongong University, will help in setting up the varsity campus in India.
The Australian minister informed that India and Australia share some common things. Both aspirations are similar though the sizes of both countries are different.

World Wildlife Day 2023 celebrates on 3rd March.

 Every 3rd of March, wildlife is celebrated all over the world for the UN World Wildlife Day. This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed in 1973. This global event is marked annually to celebrate and promote awareness of the planet’s wild fauna and flora. The date also marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. CITES aims to prevent international trade from threatening species’ survival.

World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation”, honoring the people who are making a difference.

India Wins GSMA Government Leadership Award 2023.

 In India, RoW permissions which used to take more than 230 days, now get approval within 8 days.
More than 85% mobile tower clearances are now instantaneous.
With nearly 1 Lakh sites in 387 districts, India’s 5G roll-out is one of the fastest in the world.
Indian telecom sector has emerged as a sunrise sector and the whole world has taken note of this rise.
In India, several initiatives were carried out such as licensing reforms, creation of PM Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal, streamlining Right of Way (RoW), spectrum reforms, satellite reforms etc.