Daily Current Affairs : 24 April 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

NHAI to Develop 10,000 kms of 'Digital Highways' in India by 2025

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to develop approximately 10,000 kilometers of Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure across the country by 2025, according to an official statement. The project will be executed by NHAI's special purpose vehicle, National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), which aims to create a network of "digital highways" by establishing integrated utility corridors along national highways for OFC infrastructure development.
To initiate this endeavor, NHAI has identified two pilot tracks: a 512-kilometer stretch on the Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor and a 1,367-kilometer segment on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. These tracks will be instrumental in testing and implementing the digital highways concept. The OFC network will greatly enhance internet connectivity in remote areas of India and contribute to the country's transition to advanced telecommunication technologies like 5G and 6G.
Recently, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway inaugurated its 246-kilometer Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section, which includes a dedicated 3-meter utility corridor for optical fiber cable deployment. This corridor will play a crucial role in facilitating the rollout of 5G services in the region.

DRDO and Indian Navy Conduct Successful Trial of Interceptor Missile from Naval Platform

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of a sea-based interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal. The objective of the trial was to engage and neutralize hostile ballistic missile threats, thereby positioning India among the elite group of nations possessing Naval Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability.
An interceptor missile is a high-speed, fast-climbing missile designed to defend against attacking bombers or missiles. This successful trial represents a significant milestone in India's defense capabilities and highlights its commitment to advanced missile defense systems.

SCG Unveils Gates Named after Tendulkar and Lara

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) recently unveiled gates named after cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. This tribute adds Tendulkar and Lara to the list of distinguished figures, including Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson, and Arthur Morris, who have gates named after them at the iconic SCG.
April 24 was chosen as the date for the gate unveiling to coincide with Tendulkar's 50th birthday and the 30th anniversary of Lara's memorable 277-run innings at the SCG, which marked his first Test century (even though the Test match was played in January 1993).
The gates were unveiled by Rod McGeoch AO, Chairman of SCG and Venues NSW, along with CEO Kerrie Mather and Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley. Sachin Tendulkar holds an extraordinary record at the SCG, while Brian Lara's maiden Test century remains one of the most celebrated innings by a visiting player. Both players continue to hold a deep affection for the SCG and are immensely popular whenever they visit Sydney.

National Panchayati Raj Day: India

On April 24, 2023, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, is commemorating National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) - Samaaveshi Vikaas (Inclusive Development) initiative, adopting a whole-of-government approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest at the national function, addressing all the Gram Sabhas (village councils) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of the country during the National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth more than 17,000 crores. Additionally, he will virtually attend the housewarming ceremony of 411,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister's Housing Scheme) at the event. The program will be attended by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Central Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh, as well as several Union ministers and Madhya Pradesh government officials.

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed annually on April 24. This day aims to reaffirm the principles of the United Nations Charter, which emphasize the resolution of disputes among nations through peaceful means. The International Day acknowledges the role of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions to conflicts between countries.
Established on December 12, 2018, through resolution A/RES/73/127, the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was first observed on April 24, 2019.
Multilateralism is an approach to international relations that underscores the importance of cooperation and coordination among multiple countries and international organizations to address global issues and achieve common goals. It recognizes that no single country can tackle complex global challenges like climate change, international trade, or terrorism on its own. Collective action and shared responsibility are essential for effective problem-solving.

World Immunization Week - 24-30 April 2023

World Immunization Week (WIW) is a global healthcare event celebrated annually during the last week of April, from April 24 to 30. The main objective of this week is to promote the use of vaccines and protect people of all ages from infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) collaborates with various international and local groups to conduct campaigns and activities aimed at safeguarding communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
WIW 2023 focuses on highlighting the importance of immunization and vaccines. It also supports governments in launching effective immunization programs by providing the necessary technical assistance and information. Vaccine-preventable diseases, caused by viruses or bacteria, continue to be a leading cause of death among children under the age of five. Immunization plays a crucial role in curbing these diseases in children and preventing various infectious diseases in adults, such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and COVID-19.
The theme for World Immunization Week 2023 is "The Big Catch-Up." The World Health Organization and its partners aim to accelerate progress and ensure that more individuals, especially children, receive protection against preventable diseases.

First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Bengaluru

The first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, hosted under the G20 Indian Presidency, is set to commence on April 24 in Bengaluru. The two-day meeting will be jointly chaired by Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Dr. Shaktikanta Das.
The meeting will witness the participation of finance ministers and central bank governors from G20 member countries, invitee members, and heads of international organizations. Deliberations will focus on strengthening multilateral development banks to address shared global challenges of the 21st century, financing resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities of the future, and digital public infrastructure for advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains. The sessions will also cover topics related to the global economy, global health, and international taxation.

Canara Bank Partners with Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub

Canara Bank has collaborated with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to launch the "Digitalized Submission of Form 15G/15H" as part of their customer-friendly services, aiming to provide customer delight. Form 15G (for individuals and HUF) and Form 15H (for individual senior citizens) are self-declaration forms submitted by individuals to their bank, requesting exemption from TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on interest income if their income falls below the basic exemption limit. Providing a PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for this process.
Previously, Canara Bank accepted the submission of these forms through online banking and mobile banking, which required knowledge and access to these digital platforms. Many senior citizens, who may not be familiar with internet or mobile banking applications, faced difficulties and had to stand in long queues at bank branches to submit these tax waiver forms.
Recognizing this issue, the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) collaborated with various banks to find potential solutions. As a result, the "Digitalized Submission of Form 15G/15H" service was developed, aiming to address the challenges faced by senior citizens and simplify the submission process.