Daily Current Affairs : 28 April 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

Arjun Vajpai becomes the first Indian man to summit Mt. Annapurna

Arjun Vajpai, a professional Indian mountaineer and Fit India Champion, has achieved a significant feat by becoming the first Indian man to summit Mt. Annapurna 1. Standing at an impressive height of 8,091 meters (26,545 ft) above sea level, Mt. Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world, located in Nepal. Arjun successfully completed the climb on April 17, adding another achievement to his list as he has already scaled seven other 8,000-meter peaks.
It is worth noting that Mt. Annapurna is known for its extreme danger and is considered one of the most treacherous among the 14x8000m Summit Mountains. Arjun's remarkable record includes being one of the youngest mountaineers to conquer Mount Everest. However, during his recent climb, two Indian climbers went missing, and tragically, a fellow climber from Ireland lost their life. Due to safety concerns and limited resources at the lower camps, Arjun and his team decided against descending all the way to the Base Camp and opted for a helicopter evacuation.

Finance Ministry grants Navratna status to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

The Ministry of Finance, under the guidance of Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has approved the upgrade of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). RVNL, an undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, will now join the prestigious league of Navratna companies, becoming the 13th CPSE to hold this esteemed status.
RVNL, established in 2003, focuses on planning, developing, and implementing railway infrastructure projects. The decision to grant Navratna status to RVNL was influenced by its recent success in securing multiple orders from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Railways. This recognition further highlights the significance of RVNL's contributions to the country's infrastructure development.

Boxing Champion Kaur Singh passes away

Kaur Singh, a celebrated boxing champion and recipient of the Padma Shri award, sadly passed away on April 27 at the age of 74. Kaur Singh, known for his remarkable achievements in the sport, earned six gold medals in international competitions, including the Asian Games in 1982, where he emerged victorious in the heavyweight category.
His outstanding performance led to him receiving prestigious accolades such as the Arjuna Award in 1982 and the Padma Shri in 1983. Additionally, Singh had the privilege of participating in an exhibition match with the legendary Muhammad Ali in New Delhi on January 27, 1980. Recognizing his contribution to Indian sports, the Punjab government recently announced the inclusion of Singh's life story in the school curriculum, along with the narratives of three other esteemed athletes.

Uttarakhand Minister Chandan Ram Das passes away

Chandan Ram Das, the Minister for Transport and Social Welfare in Uttarakhand, tragically passed away due to a heart attack. The 65-year-old leader experienced chest discomfort and was rushed to the district hospital in Bageshwar, where he succumbed to his condition.
Chandan Ram Das, affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, had represented the Bageshwar constituency in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly since 2007. Although this was his first term as a minister in Pushkar Singh Dhami's cabinet, he had served as a dedicated politician, working for the welfare of the people.

RBI approves re-appointment of N Kamakodi as CUB MD & CEO

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval for the re-appointment of N Kamakodi as the Managing Director and CEO of City Union Bank (CUB). This re-appointment will be effective from May 1, 2023, for a period of three years. Dr. N. Kamakodi has been serving as the MD & CEO of the bank since May 2011, exhibiting exemplary leadership skills and expertise in the banking sector.
With a strong academic background and extensive experience in banking operations, Dr. Kamakodi holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, an MBA from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Ph.D. in e-Banking, and a CAIIB certification. City Union Bank, headquartered in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, is a prominent private sector bank in India.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

On April 28 each year, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed worldwide. This day serves as a reminder to promote awareness and reduce occupational diseases and accidents. The focus lies in establishing and maintaining an effective Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management system. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) initiated the celebration of this day in 2003 to prevent workplace accidents and diseases.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work coincides with the International Day of Remembrance for the Dead and Injured Workers, observed by the labor movement since 1996. The day plays a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of a safe and healthy work environment and emphasizes the need to enhance the political prominence of occupational safety and health.
This year's theme, "A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work," focuses on promoting workplace well-being through a safe and healthy environment, ensuring equitable distribution of safety and health standards across all sectors of society.

Himachal Pradesh government signs MoU with Oil India for renewable energy development

The government of Himachal Pradesh has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil India Ltd to collaborate on the development of new and renewable energy sources in the state. The agreement aims to harness the solar potential of Himachal Pradesh. Harikesh Meena, the Director of Energy for the state government, and Pankaj Kumar Goswami, the Director of Operations for Oil India Ltd, signed the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu.
As part of this partnership, the possibility of setting up floating solar power plants in water reservoirs and ground-mounted solar power projects will be explored. Furthermore, Oil India has been encouraged to consider establishing pilot projects for the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia. Himachal Pradesh possesses abundant green energy resources, and the state government has been proactive in leveraging this potential. Oil India has been requested to send a team of experts to survey potential sites for implementing these projects.

14th Dalai Lama receives 1959 Ramon Magsaysay Award in person after 64 years

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, was personally presented with the 1959 Ramon Magsaysay Award at his residence by members of the award foundation. This award holds special significance as it was the first international accolade received by the Dalai Lama in recognition of his leadership in the Tibetan community's courageous struggle to preserve their sacred religion and culture.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Asia," honors individuals who demonstrate integrity, service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The award was established in 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, in concurrence with the Philippine government, to perpetuate the example set by former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay. The foundation's president, Susanna B Afan, and trustee Emily A Abrera personally visited the Dalai Lama to present the award, marking 64 years since its initial conferment.

Alessandra Korap from Amazon wins Goldman Environment Prize

Alessandra Korap, a prominent Munduruku leader, has been honored with the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her relentless efforts in fighting against illegal mining and large-scale projects that facilitate soybean exports in the Tapajos River Basin. The Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the Green Nobel, is awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists from six geographic regions around the world.
The prize recognizes their exceptional contributions to environmental conservation and protection. The award ceremony was organized by the Goldman Environmental Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, California. Alessandra Korap's dedication and work in defending the environment have made a significant impact on the protection of the Tapajos River Basin and its surrounding ecosystems.