4th August, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
President of India inaugurates ‘unmesha’ and ‘utkarsh’ festivals

The President of India commenced the ‘Unmesha‘ International Literature Festival and the ‘Utkarsh‘ Festival of Folk and Tribal Performing Arts in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. These festivals, organized by the Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi, respectively, have a shared purpose of celebrating inclusivity and cultural diversity in the region. With the participation of over 800 artists from various states and Union Territories, the events promise to be a vibrant showcase of artistic expressions.
The ‘Unmesha’ festival spans three days and brings together literary enthusiasts from around the world, providing a platform for intellectual exchange and creative discussions. On the other hand, ‘Utkarsh’ honors the rich heritage of folk and tribal traditions in India, offering a stage for these expressive art forms to thrive and captivate the audience.

NHAI launches mobile app ‘Rajmargyatra’ for national highway users

To improve the highway user experience and offer seamless travel on Indian National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a significant step by introducing the ‘Rajmargyatra‘ mobile application.
This unified app aims to provide comprehensive information and efficient complaint redressal for national highway users, making travel safer and more convenient.
The ‘Rajmargyatra’ app is designed to be user-friendly and is available for download on both the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.
This availability makes it accessible to a wide range of travellers who can now access comprehensive information about Indian National Highways at their fingertips.
The app is currently available in both Hindi and English, catering to users across various linguistic backgrounds.

ASI resumes scientific survey of Gyanvapi complex amid tight security

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Friday amid tight security. The representative of the ASI had submitted in the Allahabad High Court that there would be no damage done to the structure during the survey.
Meanwhile, members of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee have boycotted the survey.
The Committee has also challenged the order of the Allahabad High Court to resume the survey, in the Supreme Court. The petitioners have also filed a caveat in the apex court.

Govt signs 100 contracts with Indian vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment to make India self-reliant in defence sector

The Government has signed one hundred contracts with Indian vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment to make India self-reliant in the defence sector. So far, a total of 122 contracts have been signed in the last three financial years. Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt said this in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. He said, the government has taken adequate steps to make the country self-reliant by developing indigenous advanced technologies and complex systems.
Defence Acquisition Procedure- 2020 is promulgated to maximize acquisition of defence equipment through indigenous sources and promote domestic manufacturing. Two Defence Industrial Corridors have been set up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to catalyse indigenous production of defence and aerospace-related items. The Ministry has also directed for spending an amount of one thousand 500 crore rupees towards procurement from start-ups.

Also Read: Weekly Current Affairs (Economy) 8-14 July 2023 Bitbank: With which country India has started bilateral trade in rupees recently?

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INTERNATIONAL
India to participate in Ukraine peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia

India has been invited to participate in Ukraine peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, scheduled for August 5 and 6. The invitation comes as Saudi Arabia reaches out to Western nations, Ukraine, and some major developing countries to discuss the peace plan put forward by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier in the year.
Arindam Bagchi confirmed India's attendance at the meeting to be held in Jeddah. Bagchi emphasized that India's participation aligns with its long-standing stance that dialogue and diplomacy are essential in resolving conflicts. By engaging in the peace talks, India aims to support efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. However, Russia is excluded from the meeting at Jeddah.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been actively advocating his 10-point peace plan, even discussing it with US President Joe Biden and other world leaders. Zelenskyy has been urging the international community to come together for a global peace summit based on his proposed plan.
The situation in Ukraine has been a matter of international concern due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and the annexation of Crimea by Russia. The conflict has caused significant human suffering and geopolitical tensions in the region.

PM Shahbaz Sharif announces dissolution of c on August 9

In a significant political development, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced the dissolution of the Pakistan National Assembly on August 9. The decision came after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with parliamentary leaders at a dinner in honour of the members of parliament, where the country's political situation was thoroughly discussed.
This crucial step is part of the democratic process, ensuring a smooth transition of power before the next general elections. On August 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will send a formal advice to the President for the dissolution of the National Assembly. According to constitutional provisions, the President must sign the advice within 48 hours to effectuate the dissolution. If, for any reason, the President does not sign the advice, the Assembly will be automatically dissolved.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured that after three days of consultation with the opposition, he will submit the name of the caretaker prime minister to the President. The aim is to reach a consensus between the government and the opposition over the caretaker premier. However, if no agreement is reached, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will step in and nominate a candidate for the caretaker prime minister position from the proposed names.

Pakistan & Iran chalks out 5 year trade cooperation plan with trade target of 5 billion US dollars

Pakistan and Iran have chalked out a five-year trade cooperation plan with a trade target of 5 billion US dollars. Pak foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, the five-year plan is aimed at removing impediments on bilateral trade, finalization of the Free Trade Agreement and establishment of institutional linkages between respective private sectors.
Pakistan's vision for greater enhanced trade was fully aligned with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s policy of the neighbourhood First.
The two sides were fully committed to increasing the bilateral trade. It also emphasised the completion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, which would serve the national interests of the two countries.

ECONOMY
Digital payments grew significantly at 13.24% in FY23, shows RBI index

In the fiscal year 2022-2023 (FY23), digital payments in India experienced remarkable growth, as indicated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI). The RBI-DPI, a comprehensive measure of payment digitization, displayed a substantial increase across all parameters during this period, driven by significant advancements in payment infrastructure and performance across the country. The index for March 2023 recorded a value of 395.58, marking a 13.24% growth compared to September 2022 (377.46), as announced on January 31, 2023.
The RBI-DPI encompasses five major parameters, each representing crucial aspects of the digitization of payments. These parameters are:
Payment Enablers: This parameter evaluates the factors that facilitate digital payment adoption, such as the availability of digital wallets, mobile banking services, and internet penetration.
Payment Infrastructure – Demand Side Factors: Focusing on the consumers’ end, this parameter examines the accessibility and ease of using digital payment platforms, including point-of-sale (POS) devices and payment gateways.
Payment Infrastructure – Supply Side Factors: This parameter assesses the robustness and efficiency of payment systems and infrastructure on the provider’s side, including banks and financial institutions.
Payment Performance: Evaluating the effectiveness of digital payment transactions, this parameter gauges factors like transaction success rates, transaction speed, and reliability.
Consumer Centricity: A crucial aspect of digital payments is user satisfaction. This parameter measures the overall experience and user-friendliness of digital payment platforms.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Japan: Typhoon Khanun hits power lines in Okinawa leaving more than two lakh households without electricity

Japan has started feeling the impact of slow-moving Typhoon Khanun which is approaching the country’s southwestern islands. According to reports, high-speed winds hit power lines in Okinawa leaving more than two lakh households without electricity.
As many as 25 people have got injured while one death has been confirmed by the authorities. The authorities have advised around seven lakh people to evacuate to safer places. According to the country’s weather department, some places in Okinawa logged wind gusts of nearly 200 kilometers per hour this morning and had more than 250mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

AWARDS
PM conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune

The Lokmanya Tilak National Award was granted to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in Pune, Maharashtra, during a ceremony that commemorated the 103rd death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak.
The prestigious award, instituted by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983, aims to honor the lasting legacy of Lokmanya Tilak. Shri Narendra Modi became the 41st distinguished individual to receive this esteemed recognition.
In 1983, the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust established the Award as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Lokmanya Tilak. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement and growth of the nation, with contributions that are nothing short of remarkable and extraordinary. Each year, on the 1st of August, coinciding with Lokmanya Tilak’s death anniversary, this award is presented to the deserving recipients.

Published date : 05 Aug 2023 11:05AM