Daily Current Affairs For BPSC as on 20.01.2023

NATIONAL:

1. Hyderabad Tyagaraja Aradhana Music Festival (HTAMF)

Why in news - The 5-day annual HTAMF was organized by Sanskriti Foundation to commemorate saint Tyagaraja.

Key Points –

About Tyagaraja –

• He is an Indian Philosopher and Poet.

• Born on May 14, 1767 in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur.

• He is part of the Trinity of Carnatic Music – Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

• He penned the lyrics of thousands of kritis, mostly in praise of lord Rama.

2. Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project

Why in news - National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has submitted the pre-feasibility report (PFR).

Key Points –

• PFR was submitted to the Central Electricity Authority of India for the ‘Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage’ (11GW).

• It is India’s largest hydel power project to date to come up in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Main purpose - To counter China’s water diversion scheme to the Yarlung Tsangpo river in China which flows as Siang (Arunachal) and Brahmaputra (Assam).

• China’s 60 GW dam is on the neck of Arunachal Pradesh in Medong.

• Concern for India - Diversion of water to northern China would lead to a thinning of Siang during our peak season and possible release of water would lead to major flooding.

INTERNATIONAL:

1. Sanchi Gate in Berlin

Why in news - A replica of India’s famous East Gate of Sanchi unveiled at Berlin’s Humboldt Forum museum complex.

Key Points –

• It was built by German and Indian sculptors and cost around 1.6 million euros (approximately $1.7 million).

• Features – Weight - 150 tons, 10 meters tall and 6 meters wide.

About Sanchi Stupa –

• It was discovered by the British general, Henry Taylor, in 1818

• It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1989.

• It was built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.

• It was vandalized by Pushyamitra Shunga in the mid-2nd century BCE.

2. Feria Internacional Del Turismo (FITUR)

Why in news - The Ministry of Tourism participated in FITUR in Madrid, Spain.

Key Points –

• It is an international tourism trade fair to help expedite the recovery of the country’s inbound tourism to the pre-pandemic levels.

• India also invited them to participate in the first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit being organized from April 10-12 in New Delhi.

3. ‘Education for Democracy’

Why in news - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled ‘Education for Democracy’ on Jan 18, 2023.

Key Points –

• It recognized “education for all” that contributes to the strengthening of democracy.

• It was co-sponsored by India.

• In March 2015, UNGA adopted a similar resolution encouraging all UN entities to use education to promote peace, human rights, and democracy.

4. Jacinda Ardern

Why in news - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stepped down from her position on Jan 19, 2023.

Key Points –

• She was sworn in as the PM at the age of 37 and became the youngest woman worldwide to be the head of government.

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:

1. Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)

Why in news - Hyderabad would host a World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR).

Key Points –

• The first thematic center in India would focus on life sciences and healthcare.

• C4IR Telangana is the only such center in India with a thematic focus on healthcare and life sciences.

• Telangana accounts for one-third of global vaccine output and contributes about 35% of India’s pharmaceutical production.

• C4IR Telangana is the 18th center to join the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network.

AWARDS & HONOURS:

1. 8th Ajanta-Ellora film Festival

Why in news - Naanera bagged the Golden Kailasha award for the best movie at the Ajanta-Ellora film festival.

Key Points –

• It is a Rajasthani film directed by Deepankar Prakash.

• Kannada film Koli Esru (chicken curry), won awards for best child artist (Apeksha Chorna Halli) and the best actress for Akshatha Pandavapura.

• Best actor prize went to Jeetu Kamal for Bengali film Aparajito.

• The event took place in Aurangabad from January 11 to 15, 2023.

2. 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023

Why in news - The 14th International Conference cum Awards on Civil Aviation- 2023 was organized by ASSOCHAM at New Delhi.

Key Points –

• New Goa Manohar International Airport won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport’ award.

• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training received the award for the 'Best Air Hostess Training Institute - 2022'.

SCIENCE – TECH:

1. Geotail Mission

Why in news - The NASA-JAXA Geotail spacecraft has finally come to an end after 30 long years in orbit on Jan 18, 2023.

Key Points –

• It was involved in studying Earth’s magnetosphere, the protective magnetic bubble of the planet.

About Geotail Mission –

• It was launched on July 24, 1992.

• It was a joint project of JAXA (Japan) and NASA.

• It was part of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) project.

• It identified magnetic reconnection. It is a major conveyor of material and energy from the Sun into the magnetosphere and one of the instigators of the aurora.

BOOKS & AUTHORS:

1. Book “Come! Let’s Run”

Why in news - Tamil Nadu Health Minister Thiru Ma. Subramanian authored a book titled “Come! Let’s Run”.

SPORTS:

1. Shubman Gill

Why in news - Shubman Gill became the youngest Indian Cricketer (23 years and 132 days) in the world to score a double century.

Key Points –

• He scored 208 from 149 balls, laced with 19 fours and 9 sixes.

• He became the youngest cricketer and the fastest Indian cricketer who scored 1000 runs in the ODIs format.

2. Rohit Sharma

Why in news - India captain Rohit Sharma edged former skipper MS Dhoni’s all-time record for most sixes in ODIs for India.

Key Points –

• Top 3 (sixes) –

A. Rohit Sharma (125)

B. MS Dhoni (123)

C. Sachin Tendulkar (71)

BIHAR:

1. Statue of Maharana Pratap

Why in news – Hon CM Nitish Kumar unveiled the statue of Shoorver Maharana Pratap in Patna on Jan 19, 2023.

Key Points –

• It is a 10 feet statue at Swaminand Square near SP Verma Road in Patna.

• This is a bronze statue.

• It was designed by Rashmi Singh.

• 9 May is to celebrated as a state function in Bihar. Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540.

POINTERS:

• Which bank has signed an MoU with Warehousing and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) to provide cheap loans to farmers - State Bank of India.

• Which state government has launched the Shared School Bus System and Agriculture Response Vehicle Scheme – Meghalaya.

• Which Indian American has been honored with the "MLK Grand Parade Special Award" - Krishna Vavilala.

• Which has become the first European country to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan - United Kingdom.

• When will the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) start supplying diesel to Bangladesh on a pilot basis - June 2023.

• Which award has been won by 'Bhavin Rabari' of the Gujarati film Chhello Show in the 'Best Breakthrough Performance' category - International Press Academy (IPA) Award.

• Who has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Armenia - Neelakshi Saha Sinha.

• SBI in association with which Information Utility (“IU”) has launched e-Bank Guarantee (e-BG) facility – National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL).

• Which became the fourth state to restore the old pension scheme - Himachal Pradesh.

• Which Indian-origin person was sworn in as the first female Sikh judge in the US - Manpreet Monica Singh.

 

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