Daily Current Affairs For BPSC as on 18.03.2023

NATIONAL:

1. Geological Park

Why in news - The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has approved the setting up of India’s first geo park in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points –

• Location - Lamheta village, Jabalpur (MP) on the banks of the Narmada river.

• Purpose - Protection and use of geological heritage.

• Dinosaur fossils had been found in the Bhedaghat-Lameta Ghat area, Jabalpur (Narmada valley).

• In 1828, the first dinosaur fossil was collected from the Lameta Bed by William Sleeman.

• Bhedaghat (Jabalpur) - Known for white marble rock formations.

2. H3N2 Virus

Why in news - India has recorded two deaths one each in Karnataka and Haryana due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus.

Key Points –

• Influenza viruses are of four different types: A, B, C and D.

• H3N2 caused the 1968 flu pandemic that led to the death of around 10 lakh people globally.

About the H3N2 Virus –

• Symptoms - cough, fever, body ache and headache, sore throat etc.

• Usual prey - Individuals below the age of 15 years or above 50 years of age.

• Oseltamivir - Antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B.

3. Vote Fest 2023

Why in news - Election Commission of India (ECI) inaugurated Vote Fest 2023 in Bengaluru.

Key Points –

• Aim - to create awareness on the election process.

• Also. inaugurated Electhon 2023 - A 30-hour hackathon for securing the electoral future.

• ECI song - Main Bharat Hoon, Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hai.

• Chief Election Commissioner - Rajiv Kumar.

4. Gold Deposits in Odisha

Why in news - Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found gold deposits in 3 districts of Odisha.

Key Points –

• 3 districts - Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

• 3 working gold mines in India –

(a) Hutti mines (Karnataka)

(b) Uti mines (Karnataka)

(c) Hirabuddini mines (Jharkhand).

• India’s gold annual consumption - 774 tonnes. (production - 1.6 tonnes).

• Gold often occurs in free elemental state (native state).

• Gold is found as placer deposits, nuggets or grains in rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:

1. MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme

Why in news - Narayan Rane launched the scheme on March 10, 2023.

Key Points –

• By - Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

• Aim – To make handholding and consulting more affordable for MSMEs who intend to reduce wastages in their manufacturing process.

• Subsidy limit increased to 90%. (earlier – 80%) on implementation cost of the consultant fees.

• Lean manufacturing techniques - Minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.

• It would be done at 3 levels – basic, intermediate, and advanced.

• Completion of each stage will be verified through agencies like the National Productivity Council and Quality Council of India.

REPORTS & INDICES:

1. 5th World Air Quality Report

Why in news - 5th World Air Quality Report prepared by IQAir was released recently.

Key Points –

• It based on the annual average level of pollutant PM2.5 in air.

• The report makes a distinction between New Delhi and Delhi.

• Most polluted city in India – Bhiwadi (PM - 92.7) in Rajasthan.

• Most polluted metropolitan city - Delhi (PM - 92.6).

• Second most polluted capital city - New Delhi (89.1).

• Most polluted –



About IQAir –

• A Swiss air quality technology company.

• Based on PM2.5 data from 7,323 cities and 131 countries.

Air Quality Index (AQI) (2014) –

• By – Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Central Pollution Control Board).

• Higher the AQI, the worse the air.

• 6 categories of AQI - ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).

• Pollutants measured – PM 2.5, PM 10, Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Lead (Pb) and Ammonia (NH3).

• Recommended by - IIT Kanpur.

• Graded Response Action Plan - Specifically instituted for emergency measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR.

AWARDS & HONOURS:

1. Vyas Samman 2022

Why in news – Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi to be honoured with the prestigious 32nd Vyas Samman 2022.

Key Points –

• For his book – Pagalkhana (mental asylum), a satirical novel.

• His first novel, Narak-Yatra (trip to hell) - Based on the education system of India’s medical science.

• The award was instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991.

SPORTS:

1. 38th National Games

Why in news – 38th National Games would be held in Uttarakhand in the year 2024.

Key Points –

• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President - PT Usha.

BIHAR:

1. Book "Bihar - That Was...and Now”

Why in news – Honourable’ CM Nitish Kumar released the Coffee Table Book 'Bihar- That Was...and Now'.

Key Points –

• It is a collection of photographs showing Bihar in totality.

• By - Photographer and Padma Shri awardee Mr. Raghu Rai and his wife Mrs. Usha Rai.

POINTERS:

• Which Indian-American has been appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force - Ravi Chowdhary.

• Which country has opened its borders for tourists after three years of restrictions – China.

• Which state government has approved a 10% horizontal reservation for statehood activists in state govt jobs - Uttarakhand.

• RBI has tied up with which country's Central Bank to promote innovation in financial products - United Arab Emirates.

• According to the report of Swiss firm IQAir, which is the most polluted country in the world – Chad.

• India and the World Bank have signed loan agreements for the construction of the 'Green National Highway Corridor Project' in how many states – Four.

• Which app has won the prestigious 13 Aegis Graham Bell Award - Hello Ujjivan.

• Who has recently been selected for the Saraswati Samman 2022 – Shivshankari.

• Asia's largest international food and hospitality fair has started in which city – Delhi.

• The bird census at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary identified 161 new species. Where is Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary located – Kerala.

 

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