Current Affairs Quiz 14th February 2023 Quiz

Exp. Digital economy working group meeting of G20 held in Lucknow

The digital economy working group meeting of G20 was held in Lucknow

Ahead of the meeting, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Meity, addressed the Press conference in Lucknow.

This year the discussion will be held with representatives of all 20 countries on three defining areas.

First is Digital public infrastructure in which India has done a lot of work in this field with schemes like UPI, UIDAI, Diksha, Covin, e sanjivani and other apps developed during Covid period.

The motto of G20 is Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam, meaning One world One family One Future.

G20 in News (Note – All Meetings are Under the Presidency of G20 by India)

• Inception Meeting of G-20 empower group of Women & Child Development Ministry – Agra (11-12 February 2023)
• G20 Cyber Security Exercise and Drill inaugurated – MeitY Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma
• India’s first Model G-20 Summit inaugurated by- India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant
• Secretariat for Science 20 (S20) Meeting – IISc Bengaluru
• G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting – New Delhi (March 2023)
• First Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting – Dhordo in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat (7 – 9 February 2023)

• First G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meeting – Bengaluru (9 -11 February 2023)

Exp. DHARA Annual Meeting of Members of The River Cities Alliance to be held in Pune

DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) the annual meeting of the members of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) is being organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 13 to14 February in Pune.

DHARA 2023 will provide a platform for senior officials including Commissioners, Addl. Commissioners, Chief Engineers and Senior Planners of the 95-member river cities in India to co-learn and discuss solutions for managing local water bodies.

The event has strong synergies with the Urban20 (U20) initiative under the ambit of India’s G20 Presidency. One of the thrust areas of U20 is to promulgate urban water security.

Healthy rivers have a vital role to play in enhancing the overall water security of the city.

DHARA 2023 will witness multiple sessions over the two-day event that include sessions on ‘National Case Studies on Innovative River-related Practices’ to introduce the participants to several unique and innovative solutions for different aspects of urban river management involving lake and pond rejuvenation, de-centralized used-water management, enhancing the river-related economy, groundwater management, and flood management and ‘International Case Studies’ to focus on Innovative River-related practices in countries like Denmark, reuse of used water in Israel, floodplain management in Netherlands, river health monitoring in USA, pollution control in Japan, and water sensitive city design in Australia.

Exp. President Murmu inaugurated 2nd Indian Rice Congress

President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the second Indian Rice Congress at National Rice Research Center Institute (NRRI) in Cuttack, Odisha.

She underlined the importance of bio-fortified rice as rice is the only source of nutrition for a large number of poor people.

The government has started a pilot project to distribute bio-fortified rice through the PDS and provision has been made in the budget for the same.

Under the Aatmanirbhar package, the government has approved Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the development of the agriculture sector.

It was focused on the global food crisis and the recent scientific developments that will help in increasing the production and yield of paddy crops.

President Murmu in News

• President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 31st Foundation Day of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in New Delhi on 31 January 2023.
• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan
• President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated Samvidhan Udyan at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur, Rajsthan.
• President Murmu lays foundation stone for PRASHAD project in Telangana
• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated project worth Rs 43.08 cr at Srisailam Temple

Exp. DGGI signed MoU with NFSU for setting up of digital forensic library

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has signed an MoU with National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) for setting up of digital forensic laboratories along with the exchange of information and knowledge, technological advancement and skill development in the field of digital forensics.

This MoU will help the DGGI in the field of investigation and digital forensics and will assist the agency for launching effective prosecutions and securing convictions of the guilty.

DGGI is the apex intelligence organisation under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for the collection and dissemination of information and for taking necessary measures to check the evasion of GST.

Whereas, NFSU is an institution of national importance established to promote studies and research in forensic sciences and related fields. NFSU is the first and only institute in the field of forensic sciences.

It has state-of-the-art technology in digital forensics and capabilities to study and analyse digital evidence.

Recent MoU

• The Ayush Ministry signed MoU with ITDC to work together for the promotion of medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.
• Adani Enterprises signed agreement with Ashok Leyland to develop Asia’s first hydrogen-mining truck
• Bharti Airtel and Nokia have joined hands to bring India’s first 5G enabled immersive experience to visitors at the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022.
• NTPC signed with Italy-based Maire Technimont Pvt Ltd for green methanol production
• NTPC Limited signed MoU with GE Power India Limited to reduce carbon intensity

Exp. PM Modi inaugurated Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the year-long celebrations commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, born on 12 February 1824, was a social reformer who founded Arya Samaj in 1875 to counter the prevalent social inequities.

Arya Samaj has played a key role in the cultural and social awakening of the country through its emphasis on social reforms and education.

The government has been committed to celebrating the social reformers and important personalities, especially those whose contributions were not given their due yet on a pan-India scale.

The book ‘Satyarth Prakash’ was written by Dayanand Saraswati in 1875.

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi flagged off 2 Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai
• PM Modi inaugurated Arabic Academy in Mumbai
• PM Modi inaugurated a three-day India Energy Week in Bengaluru
• PM Modi released special Rs 75 coin to mark 75 successful years of NCC
• PM Modi addressed 1111th Avataran Mahotsav of Bhagwan Devnarayan in Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
• PM Modi launched several development projects in Karnataka, Maharashtra

Exp. India jumped to 55th place in ICAO Aviation Safety Oversight Ranking

According to the DGCA, India’s aviation safety oversight ranking has jumped to 55th position from 112th place in the country’s score under the ICAO’s coordinated validation mission.

Under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission was conducted in India in November 2022.

The Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) is based on eight critical elements (CE) of a safety oversight system, which are measured by a set of protocol questions (PQs)

• Primary Aviation Legislation and Civil Aviation Regulations (LEG)
• Civil Aviation Organization (ORG)
• Personnel Licensing and Training (PEL)
• Aircraft Operations (OPS)
• Airworthiness of Aircraft (AIR)
• Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation (AIG)
• Air Navigation Services (ANS)
• Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA)

Exp. ASEAN Digital Ministers meeting approved India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 202

The third edition of the ASEAN Digital Ministers meeting approved the India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023 in New Delhi.

Theme – Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future

Objective – To strengthen India-ASEAN relations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies.

India is eager to collaborate with member states of ASEAN to advance Information and Communication Technologies in the region, aiming toward shared prosperity.

The work plan includes capacity building and knowledge sharing in emerging areas in the field of Information and Communication Technologies such as Al in Cyber Security.

Exp. PM Modi inaugurated first phase of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first phase of the 1,400 kilometres long Delhi-Mumbai expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa.

The 246-kilometre Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot stretch of the expressway will cut down the travel time from Delhi to Jaipur from five hours to around three and a half hours.

It is also expected to boost economic opportunities in the entire region.

The first leg of India’s longest expressway opened to the public right ahead of a hectic election year. The grand expressway promises to bring down travel time from the national capital to its financial hub, Mumbai, by half, to just 12 hours.

Eight-lane-wide and nearly 1,400 kms long, it is being built at a staggering cost of over one lakh crore rupees. It is expandable to accommodate 12 lanes.

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi inaugurated 2nd phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 in Basti District of Uttar Pradesh
• PM Modi virtually flagged off the 8th Vande Bharata Express train connecting Secunderabad with Vishakhapatnam.
• PM Modi announced the “Aarogya Maitri” project during the Voice of Global South Summit
• PM Modi inaugurated 26th National Youth Festival at Hubbali in Karnataka
• PM Modi virtually inaugurated the 7th edition of the Global Investors Summit in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Exp. Nikos Christodoulides elected as the new president of Cyprus

Former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides has been elected President of Cyprus after a second and final round of voting.

He defeated his rival Andreas Mavroyiannis.

He won nearly 52 percent of the votes, and his rival Mavroyiannis won only 48 percent.

He was appointed as the government’s spokesman in 2014 and foreign minister in 2018.

About Cyprus

• Capital- Nicosia
• Currency- Euro
• President- Nikos Christodoulides

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• President of Cyprus – Nikos Christodoulides
• First female PM of Equatorial Guinea – Manuela Roka Botey
• President of the Czech Republic – Petr Pavel (Former Chairman of NATO)
• Prime Minister of New Zealand – Chris Hipkins
• Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand – Carmel Sepuloni
• Prime Minister of Nepal – Pushpa Kamal Dahal
• Prime Minister of Ireland – Indian-origin Leo Varadkar (2^nd term)
• First female President of Peru – Dina Boluarte
• Prime Minister of Malaysia – Anwar Ibrahim
• President of Kazakhstan – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2^nd term)

Exp. 5th Khelo India Youth Games concluded in Bhopal

In the Fifth Khelo India Youth Games 2022, Maharashtra secured the top position in the medal tally with 161 medals including 56 gold, 55 silver, and 50 bronze medals.

Haryana grabbed the second position by winning 128 medals including 41 gold, 32 silver and 55 bronze medals.

Host Madhya Pradesh remained at third place with 96 medals including 39 gold, 30 silver and 27 bronze medals.

Rajasthan and Delhi have been in the fourth and fifth position respectively.

In the fifth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Madhya Pradesh, around 6 thousand athletes from 36 States and Union Territories competed in 27 different sports disciplines.

The 5th KIYG -2023 was hosted in the eight towns of MP – Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Balaghat, Mandla, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.

Exp. Jean-Eric Vergne won action-packed Formula E in Hyderabad

Jean-Eric Vergne of DS Penske has won an action-packed Formula E in Hyderabad, that marked a successful return of a high-profile motorsport event in India, defeating Nick Cassidy.

This marked a successful return of a high-profile motorsport event in India.

This is Eric Vergne’s first win of the season.

Antonio Felix Da Costa of Porsche secured the final third spot on the podium.

Hyderabad ePrix is the single-seater, electrically powered Formula E race, and will be the first Formula E race to be held in the country.

Exp. 13 February – World Radio Day

World Radio Day is celebrated every year on 13 February.

Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of radio.

The day was decided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 3 November 2011 during its 36th conference.

Theme 2023 – Radio and Peace

Exp. 12 February – National Productivity Day

National Productivity Day is celebrated every year on February 12 to mark the foundation day of the National Productivity Council (NPC).

Objective – To promote awareness towards increasing the productivity of the country.

The day is celebrated as part of National Productivity Week, which is observed from February 12 to 18.

Theme 2022 – A chance to set goals

The National Productivity Day marks the formation of the National Productivity Council (NPC), and it was registered on February 12, 2022, under the Societies Registration Act, 1960.