Daily Current Affairs : 23 April 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

Oliver Dowden appointed as UK's new deputy prime minister

Oliver Dowden, a long-term ally of Rishi Sunak, has been appointed as the new deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom. This appointment follows the resignation of Dominic Raab due to a damning report into his conduct. Oliver Dowden has been serving as the Member of Parliament for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire since 2015. Prior to his political career, Dowden worked for PR firm Hill & Knowlton and served as former prime minister David Cameron’s deputy chief of staff.
He has held various positions within the Cabinet Office, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State. Dowden has been a vocal supporter of Rishi Sunak and played an important role in the Tory leadership contests. He previously served as Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office and as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.

PM Modi to release Rs 100 coin to mark 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat

To commemorate the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio show "Mann Ki Baat," the Indian government will release a new Rs 100 coin on April 30. This coin, minted under the authority of the central government, will have a size of 44 mm and will be made from silver (50 percent), copper (40 percent), nickel (0.5 percent), and zinc (0.5 percent).
The face of the coin will feature the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the center, with the inscription 'Satyamev Jayate' below it. The words 'Bharat' and 'India' will be inscribed in Devanagari script and English, respectively. The coin will also bear the Rupee symbol "₹" and the denominational value "100" in international numerals below the Lion Capital.

IGGL completes Asia's largest underwater hydrocarbon pipeline

The Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) has successfully completed the construction of Asia's largest underwater hydrocarbon pipeline. This pipeline, located below the river Brahmaputra, connects Jorhat and Majuli in Assam. The CEO of IGGL, Ajit Kumar Thakur, announced this achievement on Saturday. The challenging task of laying a 24-inch diameter hydrocarbon pipeline beneath the Brahmaputra river was accomplished using the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method.
The pipeline, a major milestone in the construction of the North East Gas Grid (NEGG), spans a total length of 4,080 meters across the main water channel of the Brahmaputra river. This crossing represents the longest river crossing by a hydrocarbon pipeline of this size in Asia and the second longest in the world.

English Language Day

English Language Day is observed on April 23rd, coinciding with the birthday and death day of William Shakespeare and World Book Day. The English language, being one of the most popular languages used worldwide, is celebrated on this day to recognize its development, history, culture, and achievements.
English is widely spoken and considered a "world language" and is also one of the working languages of the United Nations, alongside French. The establishment of language days for each of the UN's six official languages, including English, was initiated by the Department of Global Communications in 2010. These language days aim to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal use of all official languages within the UN. English Language Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and respect for the history, culture, and achievements associated with the English language.
The UN's language days are as follows:

Basav Jayanti: 2023

Basav Jayanti is observed in memory of Lord Basavanna's birthday. This festival is celebrated by Lingayats in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Lord Basavanna is considered the founder of the Lingayat community, and Basav Jayanti marks the beginning of a new era known as the Basavanna or Basaveshwar era. According to the traditional calendar, Lord Basaveshwar was born on the third day of the Vaisakh month.
Basav Jayanti is a public holiday in Karnataka and is celebrated grandly, particularly in areas where Basavanna has a sizable following. Devotees visit Lord Basaveshwar temples to offer prayers, and various cultural and spiritual events are organized by Lingayat committees in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. On Basava Jayanti, people exchange greetings and sweets. Kudalasangama, known for its week-long Basav Jayanti celebration, attracts many visitors.

SAIL-BSL signs MoU with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL)

SAIL-Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) to explore the potential application of 5G, IT, telecom, and other wireless communication technologies in SAIL-Bokaro Steel Plant, including SAIL’s Mines & Collieries, Central Coal Supply Organization, and the SAIL Refractory Unit in Jharkhand. The signing of the MoU took place at SAIL's Bokaro Steel Plant on April 21, 2023.
B.K. Tiwari, Executive Director (Works) from SAIL-BSL, and Ms. Alka Selot Asthana, Executive Director (IT & Telecom) from TCIL, signed the MoU in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. SAIL-BSL aims to become the first PSU in India to establish a dedicated 5G network with the assistance of TCIL, paving the way for the application of 5G, IT, and telecom technologies in the steel manufacturing sector. This partnership will also provide innovative solutions in SAIL Mines and Collieries in Jharkhand and Smart Cities, among other areas.

EAM Dr. S Jaishankar co-chairs 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd. The meeting included comprehensive discussions on various topics such as agriculture, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, ayurveda and wellness, defense cooperation, human resources, technology and innovation, and infrastructure development.
During the meeting, agreements were exchanged in the fields of Migration and Mobility and Air Connectivity. Dr. Jaishankar encouraged Indian officials to maintain close contacts and facilitate stronger business-to-business ties. He also addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table and paid a visit to Prime Minister Mark Phillips of Guyana.

India reaches 38th spot on World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index

India has climbed to the 38th spot on the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index. In 2014, India was ranked 54th, making a significant improvement by climbing 16 places from 2014 to 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this progress as an encouraging trend, which is a result of government reforms and a focus on improving logistics infrastructure. In a tweet, he mentioned that these advancements would reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of Indian businesses. It's worth noting that Singapore currently holds the top spot on the Logistics Performance Index.