22nd September, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Govt Launches Kisan Rin Portal, Ghar Ghar KCC Campaign and WINDS Manual

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently launched a series of initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector in India. These initiatives include the Kisan Rin portal, the Ghar Ghar KCC campaign, and the Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) manual.
The Kisan Rin portal will provide farmers with easy access to vital data, including loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilization progress. This empowerment will enable farmers to make informed decisions about their financial matters.
The Ghar Ghar KCC campaign aims to achieve saturation of the KCC scheme, ensuring that every eligible farmer has access to this essential financial tool.

CM Chouhan Unveils 108-ft Adi Shankaracharya Statue in MP’s Omkareshwar

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated a 108-foot-tall statue of the 8th-century spiritual leader, Adi Shankaracharya on 21st September. This significant event occurred amidst political dynamics and is an evident to the promotion of Sanatan Dharma and cultural unity.
The ‘Statue of Oneness,’ conceived six years ago, portrays Adi Shankaracharya as a 12-year old child during his visit to Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar is renowned for being one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, considered the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.

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INTERNATIONAL
Climate Ambition Summit Sees Absence of China, India and US

The Climate Ambition Summit (CAS) at the United Nations General Assembly on September 21 highlighted the absence of major economies crucial in shaping global emissions reduction efforts. China, the United States, and India, collectively responsible for 42% of global greenhouse gas emissions, were notably missing from this critical event. The CAS aimed to showcase leaders with credible actions and policies to uphold the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C degree goal and promote climate justice.
The selection criteria for countries to secure a speaking slot at the summit were rigorous and included:
Updated pre-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (as agreed in Glasgow)
Updated net-zero targets
Energy transition plans with commitments to no new coal, oil, and gas
Fossil fuel phase-out plans
More ambitious renewable energy targets
Green Climate Fund pledges
Economy-wide plans on adaptation and resilience
Commitment to present more ambitious economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions featuring absolute emissions cuts and covering all gases by 2025.

Republican-Led House Panel Initiates Biden Impeachment Inquiry

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has embarked on an impeachment inquiry against Democratic President Joe Biden. Spearheaded by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, this move signifies an attempt to score political points at the onset of the election campaign cycle.
This development is steeped in political context, partly influenced by former President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the desire to balance the score. We delve into the charges against President Biden, largely centered around allegations related to his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings.

SCIENCE ABD TECHNOLOGY
CUSAT researchers name new marine tardigrade species after A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Researchers at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) have identified a new species of marine tardigrade which they have named after the late former President and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Named ‘Batillipeskalami’, the new species of tardigrades was found by researchers in the intertidal beach sediments of Mandapam coast, close to Kalam’s birthplace in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
The newly-discovered species is approximately 0.17mm long and 0.05mm wide, characterized by four pairs of legs.
It belongs to the phylum Tardigrada, which comprises more than 1,300 described species.
Of them, just 17% are marine species.
Batillipeskalami is the 37th species under the genus Batillipes. Few morphological variations among species and limited number of differential characters make its taxonomy challenging and problematic.
Though studies on tardigrades are increasing worldwide, the phylum remains unexplored. Studies from India are in the evolving stages.
This is the second time a marine tardigrade is described from Indian waters – the first time from the east coast.
In 2021, the same research team discovered a marine tardigrade from the southwest coast and named it ‘Stygarctuskeralensis’ after the state of Kerala.

AWARDS
Swati Nayak from Odisha, To Receive the 2023 Norman Borlaug Field Award

In a momentous recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field of agriculture and food production, Odia scientist Swati Nayak is set to receive the prestigious Borlaug Field Award for 2023. This coveted award honors her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.
One of Swati Nayak’s remarkable achievements includes the introduction of the drought-tolerant rice variety, Shahabhagi Dhan, in Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Eight years since her initial intervention, Shahabhagi Dhan continues to be one of the most sought-after rice products in Odisha and the rest of India, as attested by official sources.

Published date : 22 Sep 2023 04:48PM