Daily GK Update: 28th April 2023

 Defense

1. India, UK joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior 2023’ commenced in the UK

• The seventh edition of a joint military exercise between India and the UK, 'Ajeya Warrior 2023' has been started in the Salisbury Plains, UK.
• The biennial training event started on 27 April and continues till May 11.
• The Indian Army has participated with indigenous weapons and equipment.
• Scope of exercise: It involves a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the battalion level and company level field training exercise (FTX)
• Last edition (October 2021): Chaubatia, Uttarakhand

 Honours & Awards

2. Russian poet Maria Stepanova wins Leipzig Book Prize 2023

• A Russian poet, Maria Stepanova has been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding in 2023.
• She was honored in Leipzig for her volume of poetry "Mädchen ohne Kleider" (Girls Without Clothes).
• It is described as a sensitive and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and the power imbalance that drives this oppression.
• About Leipzig Book Award:
  • Literary prizes in Germany
  • Prize money: 20,000 euros

 Schemes

3. Minister Narayan Rane launches the revamped CGTMSE Scheme

• Union Minister for MSME, Narayan Rane has launched the revamped Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) Scheme.
• Modifications:
  • Reduction in guarantee fees for loans upto ₹1 crore by 50% bringing the minimum guarantee fee to the level of 0.37% pa only.
  • Raising of ceiling for guarantee from ₹2 crore to ₹ 5 crore
  • Enhanced the threshold limit for claim settlement without initiation of legal action to ₹10 lakh.

 Agreement

4. India, UK to jointly create India-UK 'NET Zero' Innovation Virtual Centre

• India and the United Kingdom have agreed to create India-UK NET zero innovation virtual centre.
• Aim: To provide a platform for stakeholders of both countries to work together in areas like the decarbonization of manufacturing processes, transport systems, and green hydrogen as a renewable source
• Both countries will also join to launch the first-ever UK-India scientific 'deep sea voyage' and 'space parks' partnership.

 National Affairs

5. India’s first cable-stayed bridge Anji Khad will be ready in May 2023

• India’s first cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Khad bridge will be completed by May 2023.
• It connects Katra and Reasi via tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal section.
• Aim: To connect J&K to the rest of the country with all-weather rail connectivity
• The cables weigh 848.7 MT and the total length of cable strands involved is 653km.
• The asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge crosses the deep gorges of Anji river, a tributary of river Chenab.
• Total length of the bridge: 725m

 National Affairs

6. Dima Hasao insurgent group signs peace pact with Assam, Centre

• A tribal insurgent group, Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) signed the tripartite agreement with the Centre and the state government of Assam to avoid the violence and join the mainstream.
• According to the MoU, the DNLA will lay down its arms and abide by the Constitution.
• It was decided to set up a Dimasa Welfare Council and grant a special financial package of Rs. 1,000 crores (Rs. 500 crores each by the Centre and Assam government).

 Summits & Conferences

7. Summit on Farm Machinery Technology inaugurated

• Union Minister of Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated the Summit on Farm Machinery Technology in New Delhi.
• Organized by: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Tractor and Mechanisation Association in New Delhi
• During the event, the minister informed that, about 85% of small farmers in the country, who should get the benefit of technology and machinery.  
• It was attended by stakeholders including Original Equipment Manufacturers and design firms.

 National Affairs

8. MoHUA launches the ‘City Beauty Competition’

• The MoHUA has launched ‘City Beauty Competition’ portal (https://citybeautycompetition.in).
• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country can participate in this competition through an online process.
• Objective: To encourage and recognize the transformational efforts made by cities and wards across the country to create beautiful, innovative and inclusive public spaces
• Five broad pillars: (i) accessibility (ii) amenities (iii) activities (iv) aesthetics and (v) ecology

 Important Dates

9. World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023: 28th April

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed every year on April 28 to promote safe and decent work environments across the globe
• 2023 theme: A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work
• It coincides with the anniversary of the 1971 adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention by the International Labour Organization (ILO)
• It was first observed in 2003 after the ILO declared it an annual international campaign.

 Obituaries

10. Scientist and orator Dr N Gopalakrishnan passes away

• A noted orator and retired scientist, Dr. N Gopalakrishnan passed away at the age of 68.
• He was a scientist at Advanced Seismic Testing and Research Laboratory (ASTaR) of CSIR-SERC.
• He had served as a design engineer at TATA Consulting Engineers, Bengaluru and later joined as scientist in the Structural Dynamics and Machine Foundation division of CSIR-SERC.
• He was the co-author of 61 national and international journal articles and filed for five Indian patents.

 Books & Authors

11. Amitav Ghosh's new book 'Smoke and Ashes' to release in July 2023

• A new book 'Smoke and Ashes: A Writer’s Journey Through Opium’s Hidden Histories' is all set to be released in India in July 2023.
• It was authored by Amitav Ghosh.
• This book explores the opium trade's effect on world history and how it continues to hugely impact our lives today.
• The book will be published by HarperCollins India's Fourth Estate imprint.
• Other Notable works: The Shadow Lines, The Glass Palace, The Hungry Tide, Gun Island, and The Great Derangement

 National & International Appointments

12. Hari Hara Mishra takes charge as CEO of AARC

• Hari Hara Mishra has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
• He has started his career with the State Bank of India in 1982 and worked there until 2004.
• He is an experienced professional in the field of asset reconstruction.
• The ARCs are the voice of all Asset Reconstruction Companies in India.
• Currently, there are 28 ARCs registered with the Reserve Bank of India.

 National Affairs

13. Finance ministry approves Navratna status to Rail Vikas Nigam

• Union Finance Ministry has given its approval to upgrade Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) from Category-I Miniratna.
• RVNL, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, will be the 13th Navratna amongst CPSEs.
• The company will have more autonomy in terms of investment, setting up JV and other financial decisions.
• As per the Navratna Company criteria, the company must have Miniratna status, with 4 independent board directors.