DAILY GK 26-28 JAN

 DAILY GK 26-28 JAN 

1.              ‘TROPEX 2023’: INDIAN NAVY BIENNIAL MARITIME EXERCISE

·                The Indian Navy is conducting the 2023 edition of “Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise” (TROPEX), a significant biennial maritime exercise, in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

·                TROPEX 23 will take place from January to March 2023 over a three-month period.

·                In light of China’s rising military intrusions into the IOR, the exercise TROPEX aims to “validate and refine” the Indian Navy’s concept of “operations” and test overall combat capabilities.

·                As part of Exercise “TROPEX 2023,” all surface combatants of the Indian Navy, including destroyers, frigates, and corvettes, as well as submarines and aircraft, are subjected to complex maritime operational deployments.

·                The Indian Navy also held the biennial tri-service Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX) 2023 in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, from January 17 to 22, 2023.

·                The exercise was designed to improve interoperability and synergy by training elements from all three services (Indian Navy, Indian Army & IAF) in various aspects of amphibious operations.

 

2.              INDIA LIKELY TO SURPASS CHINA AS THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY BY 2023

·                India, which presently has 1.38 billion people, is on track to overtake China, which currently has 1.4 billion people, as the world’s most populous country in 2023.

·                India’s population is expected to reach 1.668 billion in 2050, surpassing China’s 1.317 billion at the time.

·                This can be attributable to the fact that China’s population began to decline in 2022, for the first time in six decades since 1962.

 

3.              WORLD’S FIRST PHOTONIC-BASED QUANTUM COMPUTER

·                Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has announced a new federal investment of 40 million Canadian dollars (USD 32 million) that enables Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., a Toronto-based Canadian quantum computing company, to build and commercialise the world’s first photonic-based, fault-tolerant quantum computer.

·                Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., was founded in 2016 with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

 

4.              VISAKHAPATNAM RAILWAY STATION RECEIVES ‘GREEN RAILWAY STATION CERTIFICATION’

·                Visakhapatnam railway station of East Coast Railway has been awarded the “Green Railway Station Certification” with the highest Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts thereby reducing the adverse environmental impact.

·                IGBC Green Railway Stations rating system is the first of its kind holistic rating in India to address environmental sustainability in Indian railway stations.

·                The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) was formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Headquarters- Hyderabad, Telangana

 

5.              41ST PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND

·                Chris Hipkins (44 years old), leader of the Labour Party,  was sworn in as the 41st Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand by the governor-general Cindy Kiro, King Charles representative in New Zealand

·                Carmel Sepuloni was also sworn in as the deputy PM, the first time that a person with Pacific Island heritage has taken the role.

 

6.              ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF CCI

·                The Government of India (GoI) has extended the tenure of Sangeeta Verma as acting Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

·                In October 2022, She was appointed as the acting Chairperson of CCI for a period of 3 months following the retirement of Full time chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta on 25th October 2022.

·                A quorum of 3 members with a chairperson are required for the approval of Mergers and acquisitions beyond a certain threshold under the Competition Act, 2022.

·                Each member will have a tenure of 5 years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

·                Sangeeta Verma & Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi were the members of CCI and Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi was appointed in July 2019 for a five year period, and will retire later in 2023.

 

7.              INDIGENOUS MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEM “BHAROS“

·                JandK Operations Private Ltd., a company incubated by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, has developed ‘BharOS’, an indigenous mobile operating system (OS).

·                BharOS, a play on the Bharat Operating System, is promoted by IIT-Madras as a contribution to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and can be installed on commercially available mobile devices, creating a secure environment for users.

·                BharOS is identical to Android OS in terms of technology, with the primary distinction being that BharOS does not feature Google services.

·                BharOS provides “Native Over The Air” (NOTA) updates, which are automatically downloaded and installed to maintain the software secure and bug-free.

 

8.              13TH NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY – 25TH JANUARY

·                The Election Commission of India (ECI) celebrated the 13th edition of National Voters’ Day (NVD) across India to spread awareness about the importance of voting, and participating in the electoral process.

·                The theme of 2023 National Voters’ Day is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’.

·                ECI was founded on  25th January 1950 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Law and Justice, to give every Indian citizen the right to vote in the country’s democratic election process.

·                Chief Election Commissioner– Rajiv Kumar

·                Election Commissioner–  Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel

 

9.              NATIONAL TOURISM DAY 2023 – JANUARY 25

·                National Tourism Day is annually observed across India on January 25 to raise awareness and promote tourism for India’s economic and financial growth and development.

·                National Tourism Day was initiated by the Indian government in 1948 when the tourist committee was established.

 

10.           NITI AAYOG’S AIM, CBSE, INTEL COLLABORATE TO BRING CHANGE IN EDUCATION SECTOR

·                A tripartite agreement has been inked between the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission(AIM); Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)- Ministry of Education (MoE); and Intel India to bring a change in the education sector by utilizing future skills, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the formal curriculum.

·                In September 2022, the above 3 parties launched the AIoT (Artificial intelligence of things) Integration in the school curriculum and initiated a pilot project for the same.

 

11.           WORLD’S 1ST INTRANASAL COVID-19 VACCINE – INNCOVACC

·                Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, unveiled the iNNCOVACC, the world’s 1st intranasal COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval for the primary 2-dose schedule and as a heterologous booster dose,

·                It is developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.

 

12.           UNESCO AND SOLVAY LAUNCH STEM EDUCATION PROGRAM IN ASIA

·                The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Solvay, a Belgian multinational chemical company, announced the launch of a Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Education Program, aiming at engaging high scholars and graduate students from Asia- India, Indonesia and South Korea.

·                The program will explore the mutual impact on the environment by focusing on the theme “Sustainable living for one planet”.

·                Through STEM and EBA (evidence-based approach), students will develop skills and strengthen their understanding of science to nurture their interest in science and scientific careers for the benefit of society.

 

13.           VEER GUARDIAN 2023: INDIA-JAPAN JOINT AIR DEFENCE EXERCISE

·                Veer Guardian-2023, a joint Air Exercise between India and Japan involving the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) was held at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan

·                This is the inaugural edition of the bilateral Air Exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ between India & Japan.

·                Su-30 MKI pilot Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, one of the first 3 woman combat pilots in the IAF, participated in the inaugural air exercise Veer Guardian 2023.

·                She became the 1st IAF Woman Fighter Pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad.

 

14.           INDIA SELLS FIRST GREEN BONDS AT 5-6 BASIS POINTS BELOW SOVEREIGN YIELDS

·                India sold its first sovereign green bonds worth a total of Rs 80 billion (USD 979.61 million) at yields below comparable government bonds.

·                The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) auctioned 40 billion rupees of 5-year bonds at a coupon rate of 7.10 per cent, 5 basis points below the 5-year sovereign yield.

·                Another 40 billion rupees in 10-year bonds were sold at a 7.29%, 6 basis points below comparable government securities.

·                These proceeds will be used for ‘green’ projects including solar power, wind and small hydro projects and other public sector projects that help in reducing the carbon footprint.

 

15.           PADMA AWARDS 2023

·                The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has approved the conferment of 106 Padma Awards for the year 2023.

·                “Padma Vibhushan,” India’s second-highest civilian honour, is given for exceptional and distinguished service.

·                “Padma Bhushan” is given for distinguished service of high order

·                “Padma Shri” is given for distinguished service in any field

·                The 106 Padma Awards in 2023 comprises 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan, and 91 Padma Shri Awards, including 3 duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).

·                There are 19 women among the awardees, as well as 2 persons from the category of Foreigners/ Non-Resident Indian (NRI) / Person of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and 7 Posthumous awardees.

PADMA VIBHUSHAN

SN	Name	Field	State / Country
1	Shri Balkrishna Doshi (Posthumous)	Others - Architecture	Gujarat
2	Shri Zakir Hussain	Art	Maharashtra
3	Shri S M Krishna	Public Affairs	Karnataka
4	Shri Dilip Mahalanabis (Posthumous)	Medicine	West Bengal
5	Shri Srinivas Varadhan	Science & Engineering	United States of America
6	Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Uttar Pradesh

PADMA BHUSHAN

SN	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Shri S L Bhyrappa	Literature & Education	Karnataka
2	Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla	Trade & Industry	Maharashtra
3	Shri Deepak Dhar	Science & Engineering	Maharashtra
4	Ms. Vani Jairam	Art	Tamil Nadu
5	Swami Chinna Jeeyar	Others - Spiritualism	Telangana
6	Ms. Suman Kalyanpur	Art	Maharashtra
7	Shri Kapil Kapoor	Literature & Education	Delhi
8	Ms. Sudha Murty	Social Work	Karnataka
9	Shri Kamlesh D Patel	Others - Spiritualism	Telangana

 

16.           DR BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR NATIONAL CONTRIBUTION AWARD 2022

·                Global Entrepreneur Sunil Krishnan was honoured with the coveted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar National Contribution Award 2022

·                He is given award for his contribution to India – for Spreading Indian Cuisine Globally With Moksh Restaurant. 

 

17.           INDIA ELECTED AS VICE-CHAIR AT THE 12TH SESSION OF FAO’S ITWG ON ANGR

·                During the 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) at Rome, Italy from January 18-20, 2023, India was elected as the Vice-Chair and represented the Asia & Pacific region.

·                Dr BhupendraNath Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), and the National Coordinator, vice-chaired the Session and also acted as Rapporteur.

·                ITWG  was created by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO’s) Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) at its 7th Session in May 1997. It reviews technical issues, advises and makes recommendations to the Commission and further implements the Commission’s programme related to AnGR at global level.

 

18.           TATA TRUSTS APPOINTS SIDDHARTH SHARMA AS CEO

·                Tata Trusts has appointed former civil servant Siddharth Sharma, chief sustainability officer of Tata Sons, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and former Ford Foundation official Aparna Uppaluri as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO)

·                SiddharthSharma has served as the financial advisor to the 13th and 14th Presidents of India.

·                Tata Trusts owns a 66% stake in Tata Sons, the principal holding entity of Tata’s group of companies.

 

19.           WINNERS OF ICC AWARDS 2022

·                India’s Suryakumar Yadav has won the  ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022

·                Renuka Singh has won the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 award.

·                Babar Azam won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 as well as ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2022.

·                Nat Sciver won the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.

·                England’s Ben Stokes has been named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

·                Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh has been named the recipient of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2022.

·                He became the first player from Nepal to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.

 

20.           74TH REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA – 26TH JANUARY 2023

·                India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on 26th January 2023. The republic day events and parade were held at the newly-renovated and renamed KartavyaPath (previously known as Rajpath) in New Delhi, Delhi.

·                Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi is the chief guest of the 74th Republic Day.

·                On the occasion of Republic Day 2023, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, awarded the President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and Tatrakshak Medal (TM) to 6 Indian Coast Guard(ICG) Personnel.

·                On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, a total of 23 tableaus – 17 from States and Union Territories, and 6 from Central Ministries and Departments, showcasing the rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong and in internal and external security, participated in the parade on the Kartavya Path.

 

21.           INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY 2023 – JANUARY 26

·                International Customs Day (ICD) is annually observed across the globe on January 26 to acknowledge the role of customs officials in managing the efficient flow and exchange of goods and services across countries.

·                The day also commemorates the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council(now World Customs Organization) held in Brussels, Belgium in 1953.

·                The theme of International Customs Day 2023 is “Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge-sharing and Professional Pride in Customs”.