24th May, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
India receives 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2022 as compared to 1.52 million during same period of 2021

India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2022 as compared to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.
The Ministry of Tourism has provided an enriching tourism experience to visitors in a planned and phased manner under various Schemes.
The central government has taken several initiatives to give a boost to the tourism sector in the country by launching Dekho Apna Desh, ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’ Scheme, Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive-PRASHAD.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism, 59 tourism routes have been awarded to the identified airlines by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the RCS UDAN Scheme.
In order to boost visitor arrival, the Government has declared “Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023”. G20 meetings are being held at 55 destinations throughout the country.
The number of domestic tourists that visited places of pilgrimage was 1 thousand 433 million in 2022, while 6.64 million foreign tourists visited India in this period. In 2021, the numbers stood at 677 million and 1.05 million, respectively.
The Ministry of Tourism has approved a total number of 45 projects in the country under PRASHAD Scheme so far, which was launched in 2014-2015.
The scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience.

Australia offers strong support for India's permanent membership to UN Security Council

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday said that Australia offers strong support for India's permanent membership to UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese also discussed a wide range of global and regional issues including India-Australia cooperation in terms of benefitting the countries of Global South, Quad, Russia-Ukraine conflict and reform of the UN Security Council.
If China was part of the discussion, the Foreign Secretary emphasized that as strategic partners, both countries collaborate and take active steps to mitigate the challenges that may arise.

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INTERNATIONAL
Ireland Mandates Warning Labels on Alcoholic Products

Ireland is set to become the first country to mandate comprehensive health warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The new rules, which will come into effect in 2026, have sparked both support and protests.
Ireland has taken the lead in introducing health warning labels on alcoholic drinks. The new regulations will require labels to provide information about the risks associated with drinking, along with details about calorie content and grams of alcohol in the beverage. These labels aim to educate consumers and enable them to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption.

ENVIRONMENT
Nilgiri Marten needs urgent attention

The Nilgiri marten, a rare species endemic to the Western Ghats, faces significant challenges due to habitat fragmentation and encroachment. A recent study sheds light on the precarious situation of this small carnivore and highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Despite its rarity, a significant portion of the Nilgiri marten’s habitat lies outside protected areas. Approximately 62 percent of its habitat is at risk, primarily due to development and agricultural activities. This poses a serious threat to the survival of the species.
The Nilgiri marten is found in five primary habitat clusters in the Western Ghats, namely Brahmagiri, Nilgiris, Anamalai, Cardamom Hills, and Agasthyamalai. These regions demand heightened conservation efforts to protect the species and its unique ecological role.

Colorado River Conservation Deal announced

Seven states, including Arizona, California, and Nevada, have achieved a “historic consensus” on conserving water from the Colorado River. The agreement signifies a collective effort to address the challenges posed by ongoing drought conditions and the necessity to manage water resources more efficiently.
Through voluntary measures, the states aim to conserve 3 million acre-feet (3.7 billion cubic meters) of water by 2026. This translates to a reduction of approximately 13 percent in water usage over three years. Such conservation efforts are essential to mitigate the impact of drought and ensure long-term sustainability.
In exchange for the water usage reductions, California, Arizona, and Nevada will receive $1.2 billion in federal compensation. This financial support acknowledges the efforts made by these states in implementing water conservation measures.

SPORTS
Chennai to Host Squash World Cup

The city of Chennai is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to host the highly anticipated 2023 Squash World Cup. This prestigious event, organized by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) in partnership with the World Squash Federation (WSF), will showcase the world’s top squash players competing for the coveted trophy.
From June 13 to 17, the squash enthusiasts of Chennai will witness intense matches at two prominent locations – the Express Avenue Mall and the Indian Squash and Triathlon Academy (ISTA). These state-of-the-art facilities are fully equipped to host this prestigious tournament and provide an immersive experience for both players and fans.

ISSF World Cup: Indian shooters GanematSekhon, Darshna Rathore create history

India for the first time won two senior individual medals in women's skeet at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup stage in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
GanematSekhon won silver which was her second-ever individual world cup medal. In her first appearance at the senior level, Darshna Rathore won bronze making it her a first-ever. Local favourite AssemOrynbay of Kazakhstan won gold through a shoot-off.
In the men's skeet, Mairaj Khan, GurjoatKhangura, and Anantjeet Singh Naruka participated but none could make it to the finals.

3rd Khelo India University games start in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh

Third Khelo India University games started with the Kabaddi event on 23rd May 2023 evening in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
The official inauguration ceremony will be held tomorrow in Lucknow in which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part virtually.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will take part in the inaugural function. Reviewing preparations for the Khelo India University Games, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath yesterday directed the officials to ensure that the event to be grand and create a unique image of Uttar Pradesh in the field of sports.
Meanwhile, The league matches of Kabaddi event started yesterday evening in the presence of national and international players. 15 teams of different universities are taking part in this event. Around 1200 players of different universities are taking part in Basketball, weight lifting, Boxing and Kabaddi .
The khelo India University games will continue till 3rd June and the closing ceremony will be held in Varanasi. This games will be organised at four places Gautam Budh Nagar, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

AP

YSR MatsyakaraBharosa Scheme

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has recently released ₹123.52 crore under the YSR MatsyakaraBharosa scheme. This initiative aims to provide crucial financial assistance to fishermen and their families during the annual ban period on marine fishing.
The YSR MatsyakaraBharosa scheme focuses on offering financial aid to fisherman families during the period of the annual ban on marine fishing. Each fisherman family receives ₹10,000 as a direct benefit, providing them with support during the ban period and ensuring a sustainable livelihood.
The Andhra Pradesh government has taken significant steps to support fishermen and promote employment in the fishing industry. The construction of 10 fishing harbours and six fish landing centers of global standards, costing ₹3,767 crore, will provide essential infrastructure for the industry’s growth. Additionally, the government’s investment of around ₹16,000 crore in the construction of four ports over the past four years will enhance employment opportunities and facilitate cost-effective exports.

Published date : 24 May 2023 05:56PM