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

Shri Amit Shah Inaugurates Janganana Bhavan in New Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated Janganana Bhavan in New Delhi. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of dignitaries including Union Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai and Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra, as well as the Union Home Secretary. During the event, Shri Amit Shah also launched the following initiatives:

• Web-portal for birth and death registration.
• Upgraded SRS mobile application for geofencing.
• Web-portal for online sale of census publications.

The census data plays a crucial role in the development of basic plans and the provision of essential amenities to underprivileged and exploited sections of society. The government believes that data-based planning is essential for the all-round and inclusive development of the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government will conduct the census electronically. This new approach will allow individuals to fill their data, which will be verified and audited. The census will include more than 35 parameters of socio-economic status. Additionally, the government plans to streamline the process by automatically providing information to the Election Commission for voter registration and removal from the voter's list.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Projects Worth 2,050 Crores in Rajasthan

Union Minister for Road, Transport, and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated six National Highway projects and seven ROBs (Road Over Bridges) in Rajasthan. The inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony took place in Omprakash Jyani Stadium at Pakka Saharan in Hanumangarh district. The projects, with a total cost of approximately 2,050 crores rupees, include:

• Inauguration of Bikaner to Suratgarh, Nagaur to Bikaner, and Fatehpur to Jhunjhunu two-lane paved shoulder highways, covering a total length of 275 kilometers. The cost incurred for these projects is 987 crores rupees.
• Foundation stone laying for two-lane highway works from Hanumangarh to Kenchia, Fatehpur Bypass, Mandawa Bypass, Jhunjhunu Bypass, and Rajgarh Pilani Bypass. These projects will require an investment of 1,076 crores rupees.

These projects aim to improve connectivity to the international border, enhance travel between Rajasthan and Punjab, and ensure smoother traffic flow between Hanumangarh and Bikaner. Furthermore, they are expected to boost tourism in the northwest region of the state.

Indian Railways Hands Over 20 Broad Gauge Locomotives to Bangladesh

As part of strengthening bilateral relations, Indian Railways virtually handed over 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives to Bangladesh. The handing over ceremony took place at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, with Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, and Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, Minister of Railway from Bangladesh, joining virtually. The event was attended by Shri A.K. Lahoti, Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board, board members, senior officials, and delegates from Bangladesh.
These diesel locomotives, provided as grant assistance from the Government of India, fulfill an important commitment made during the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, to India in October 2019. The locomotives have been suitably modified by the Indian side to meet the requirements of Bangladesh Railway. They will contribute to handling the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

Neeraj Chopra Becomes World Number 1 in Men's Javelin Throw Rankings

Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw, achieved the top ranking in the men's javelin throw for the first time. With 1455 points, he surpassed Grenada's Anderson Peters by a margin of 22 points. Neeraj had previously reached the World No. 2 position on August 30, 2022, but remained behind Peters, the reigning world champion, until now.
In 2022, Neeraj won the Diamond League 2022 finals in Zurich, becoming the first Indian athlete to achieve this feat. He recently competed in the Doha Diamond League on May 5, finishing first with a throw of 88.67m. Neeraj is scheduled to participate in the FBK Games 2023 on June 4 in the Netherlands and the Paavo Nurmi Games 2023 in Turku, Finland, on June 13.

Sania Mirza Becomes Tennis Ambassador for Sony Sports Network

Sania Mirza, the renowned Indian tennis player, has been appointed as the Tennis Ambassador for Sony Sports Network. In her new role, she will serve as an expert panellist on the network. Sony Sports Network, known as the Home of Tennis in India, broadcasts three out of the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and US Open), along with the Davis Cup.
Sania Mirza, a recipient of the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, and Padma Bhushan, will share her expert insights off the court on Sony Sports Network's Extraaa Serve. Her debut appearance as the Tennis Ambassador will be during the coverage of Roland-Garros, starting on May 28, 2023. To celebrate this association, Sony Sports Network has launched a campaign called "Home of Tennis," highlighting the synergy between Sania Mirza, Sony Sports Network, and the three Grand Slams.

Adidas Named as New India Cricket Team Kit Sponsor

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Adidas will be the new kit sponsor for the Indian cricket team. Adidas replaces Kewal Kiran Clothing Ltd, which had become the interim sponsor after the previous sponsor, Mobile Premier League Sports (MPL Sports), terminated its contract midway. Adidas, a German multinational corporation, is the largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. It designs and manufactures athletic shoes, apparel, and equipment. Adidas is also the current kit sponsor for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

Actor Sarath Babu Passes Away at 73

Veteran actor Sarath Babu, known for his role in Pawan Kalyan's Vakeel Saab, passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad at the age of 73. He had been undergoing treatment for multiple organ failure and was on a ventilator. Sarath Babu, originally named Satyanarayana Dixit, was born in Amadalavalasa, Andhra Pradesh, in 1951. He made his acting debut in 1973 with the Telugu movie Rama Rajyam. In 1977, he entered the Tamil film industry with Pattina Pravesam, directed by K Balachander.

World Turtle Day - May 23

World Turtle Day is observed every year on May 23 to raise awareness about the significance of turtles and tortoises. These creatures play a vital role in the marine environment by controlling the population of jellyfish and sponges, maintaining the length of seagrass (which provides oxygen to the ocean), and enriching coastal vegetation through their eggshells. While turtles live in water, tortoises reside on land and have larger, heavier shells, making them unable to swim. However, both face challenges due to habitat destruction, artificial lighting, turtle trade, climate change, and pollution.
The American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and welfare of turtles and tortoises, founded World Turtle Day in 2000. The theme of World Turtle Day 2023 is "I Love Turtles," emphasizing the need to appreciate and conserve these unique creatures.

2nd Meeting of G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) Begins in Mumbai

The second meeting of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) commenced in Mumbai. The three-day event aims to mitigate the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities by identifying opportunities and exploring creative financing mechanisms. The meeting brings together government officials, industry experts, private sector representatives, and stakeholders from over twenty countries.
As part of the 2nd DRR Working Group meeting, the National Disaster Management Authority, in collaboration with various knowledge partners, organized a day-long side event titled "Financing Disaster Risk Reduction." The side event will focus on cross-country arrangements related to disaster risk financing, existing policy and institutional frameworks, alternate risk instruments, public-private partnerships, and the role of social protection systems in reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable population groups.