Daily Current Affairs Analysis Today : 23 –March-2023 Daily current affairs analysis is an important tool for govt job aspirants. It helps them stay informed about the world around them, and stay up to date on the latest developments. It also provides a better understanding of politics, economics and international relations, which can help in forming opinions and understanding different contexts. Additionally, it assists in preparing for competitive exams, as many questions are based on current events.
Manmeet Nanda appointed Invest India CEO, MD as Deepak Bagla quits
The board of Invest India has appointed Manmeet K Nanda as the MD and CEO of the investment promotion and facilitation body under the Ministry of Commerce.
Nanda succeeds Deepak Bagla, who resigned from the post last week.
Nanda will also continue serving in her current role as Joint Secretary, DPIIT.
Bagla reportedly resigned after an audit by the ministry questioned the work accomplished by Invest India.
Bagla’s term ended in November 2022, and he was on an extension.
Who has been appointed as the MD and CEO of Invest India, the investment promotion and facilitation body under the Ministry of Commerce? Manmeet K Nanda
ISRO to launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO will launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on March 26.
Under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited, ISRO will launch 72 satellites of the UK-based Network Access Associates Limited and place them in low Earth orbits.
NewSpace is the commercial wing of ISRO. The first set of 36 satellites was launched on October 23 last year by the LVM3 M2 launch vehicle. In the second mission on March 26th, the remaining 36 satellites weighing about 5805 kgs will be placed in 450 km circular low Earth orbit by LVM3 M3 launch vehicle. The LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions, including the Chandrayaan 2 mission. The satellites offer space based broadband internet services to the corners of the world. After the launch, Access Associates Limited will have over 600 satellites in space offering internet from space services in various countries.
Indian Space Research Organisation:
Formed: 15 August 1969
Chairman: Sreedhara Somanath
Indian Space Research Organization ISRO will launch ____ mission on March 26 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. OneWeb India-2
Indian Army, NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd sign MoU for installation of Green Hydrogen based Micro Grid Power Plant project
The Indian Army has put in motion the process for installation of a Green Hydrogen based Micro Grid Power Plant project in the forward areas along the Northern borders which are not connected by National and State Grid.
Indian Army and National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited signed an MoU in this regard in New Delhi.
Indian Army is providing requisite land on lease for 25 years with a commitment to purchase generated power through a Power Purchase Agreement.
The proposed projects will be installed by NTPC on Build, Own and Operate Models at a jointly identified location in Eastern Ladakh.
The project entails setting up a Solar Power Plant for hydrolysis of water to produce Hydrogen.
During non-solar hours this will provide power through fuel cells.
This will set the stage for similar projects in the future and contribute towards reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based generators.
NTPC:
Founded: 7 November 1975
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Chairman & MD: Gurdeep Singh
Which armed force signed MoU with NTPC Renewable Energy Limited for setting up Green Hydrogen based Micro Grid Power Plant Project? Indian Army
Second Africa-India joint military exercise begins in Pune
The second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) 2023 has begun at the Foreign Training Node in Pune.
The exercise is being conducted between India and over 20 nations of the African continent.
The 10-day exercise will focus on Humanitarian Mine Assistance and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
The multinational military drill will promote the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT) and will focus on incorporating the current dynamics of UN Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.
The inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise AFINDEX was held at the FTN in March 2019.
The African countries which are participating in the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) include Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Niger and Nigeria.
Note: The exercise’s theme is humanitarian mine action and peacekeeping operations.
What is the name of the Africa-India field training exercise that began at the Foreign Training Node? AFINDEX 2023
Mbappe named France captain, Griezmann named as his deputy
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has reportedly been named France captain to succeed now-retired goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann has reportedly been named vice-captain after Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane retired.
Mbappe has been capped 66 times and played a key role in their successful 2018 World Cup campaign as well as their runners-up finish in 2022.
Note: A soccer player earns a “cap” whenever they represent their country in an international match or a cap is the term used to describe how many international games a player has participated in.
French Football Federation:
Founded: 7 April 1919
Headquarters: Paris
President: Philippe Diallo (interim)
Who has been appointed by French Football Federation as France captain? Kylian Mbappe
India Inaugurates Asia’s Largest Liquid Mirror Telescope
Asia’s largest four-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope was inaugurated at the Devasthal observatory in Uttarakhand.
The inauguration of the instrument was done by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
The telescope is situated at an altitude of 2450 metres at the observatory, which lies at the campus of Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in Nainital.
The ILMT employs a 4-meter-diameter rotating mirror, which was made up of a thin layer of liquid mercury, to collect and focus light.
India’s first optical survey telescope:
According to ARIES, the four-metre telescope is set to explore the night skies. It was collaboratively constructed by a team of researchers belonging from various prominent institutions across the globe, such as the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, York University, the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, and Poland’s Poznan Observatory.
With a four-metre-diameter rotating mirror, the telescope possesses the ability to deeply survey the sky’s trip every night, spotting celestial objects like asteroids and supernovae.
While scanning the strip of the sky every night, the telescope will generate nearly 10-15 Gigabytes of data and the wealth of ILMT generated data will permit the application of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms that will be implemented for classifying the objects observed with the ILMT.
A 4k ⨯ 4k CCD camera, located above the mirror at the focus, records 22 arcminute wide strips of the sky.
Asia’s largest four meter international liquid mirror telescope located at Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand at an altitude of ___. 2450 metres
GRSE launches the ‘Most Silent Ship’ INS Androth
Indian Navy launched another Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) — the second in a series of eight indigenous ships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at a Kidderpore yard.
INS Androth is about 77.6 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, and requires a draught of only 2.7 metres.
Propelled by three diesel-driven water jets, these ships can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots.
Their primary role is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations.
These ships are also capable of full-scale sub surface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft
These ships may be smaller in size but will pack a lethal punch. They will carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, close-in weapon system (30 mm gun) and 16.7 mm stabilized remote-controlled guns. The ASW SWC will also be fitted with hull mounted sonar and a low frequency variable depth sonar. All the ships of the Project are being built to IR Class rules for Naval Vessels. The Class Surveyors have been instrumental in ensuring construction as per Class rules.
INS Androth draws its name from the largest and longest island from Andrott Island, also known as Androth Island, in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Note: The first ship of the series, the INS Arnala, was launched three months ago.
What is the name of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC), the second in the series of eight indigenous ships launched by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE)? INS Androth
Erode to get Tamil Nadu’s 18th wildlife sanctuary
The Tamil Nadu Government will notify Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 80,567 hectares in the forest areas of Anthiyur and Gobichettipalayam taluks in Erode district, as the 18th wildlife sanctuary in the state.
It will include reserve forest areas in Anthiyur, Bargur, Thattakarai and Chennampatti.
Home to wild animals including tigers, elephants, leopards, wild boars, gaurs and deer, the sanctuary is close to Malai Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and also act as a connecting point between Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.
Note: When the state Budget was presented in the Assembly, it was declared that a new wildlife sanctuary called ‘Thanthai Periyar Animal Sanctuary’ will be formed in 2023-2024 and this is the 18th such sanctuary in Tamil Nadu
Name the recently declared 18th wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu? Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Axis Bank And Autotrac Finance Limited Announces Partnership Under The Co-Lending Model Through Yubi
Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank and Autotrac Finance Limited Ltd (AFL), a Gurgaon based Non-Banking Financial Company, announced its strategic partnership under the co-lending model through the Yubi Co.Lend platform.
Through this partnership, both lenders will offer ‘New Tractor Loans’ for the Agricultural and Allied activities to cater the financial needs of the rural segment in the country.
The partnership will leverage the wide customer experience of Autotrac Finance and deep financial expertise of Axis Bank to enable easy credit availability for farmers at an optimal interest rates.
Axis Bank:
Founded: 3 December 1993
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry
Chairperson: Shri Rakesh Makhija
Which bank has recently partnered with Autotrac Finance Limited Ltd (AFL) through Yubi to offer ‘New Tractor Loans’? Axis Bank