Current Affairs August 18th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology to launch long-range wireless tech-based solution for better rural reach

• A new technology developed by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is now all set to be deployed to increase last-mile connectivity of banking services in remote areas.
• The financial network technology, based on LoRa (Long Range) wireless protocol, has been successfully tested at the field level and is now being looked into by the RBI and other stakeholders.

Key Highlights :

Financial network :

• The new dedicated low-cost financial network based on LoRa protocol can be used privately by banks to send encrypted financial packets to conduct financial transactions.
• Hyderabad-based IDRBT is the first in the world to develop this private financial network based on LoRa technology.
• It has protected the IP by filing a patent as well for offline transactions.
• The cost of the LoRa financial network is estimated to be 20% cheaper than alternative network technologies being used today.
• Banks can use LoRa as their own dedicated private network instead of using a third-party network, which is presently either wired (fibre) or through satellite links.
• As it can be owned by banks privately, there will be more security from cyberattacks. Apart from being a more secure platform, LoRa network also allows easy recoverability and upgradation.
• The last-mile connectivity of the banking system can be expanded further with the LoRa financial network.
• Connectivity from where the last branch of a bank stands can be extended to a remote village or hilly region by using the LoRa financial network.
• It will also facilitate setting up Micro- ATMs and their efficient functioning.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

CABINET APPROVALS:

“PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operations; priority to cities having no organized bus service

• The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a bus scheme “PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on the PPP model.
• The Scheme would have an estimated cost of Rs.57,613 crore, out of which support of Rs.20,000 crore will be provided by the Central government.
• The Scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.
• The scheme will cover cities of Three lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region and Hill States.
• Under this scheme priority will be given to cities having no organized bus service.
• The scheme will generate 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs through the deployment of around 10,000 buses in city bus operation.

The Scheme has two segments:

 Segment A – Augmenting the City bus services:(169 cities)

• The approved bus scheme will augment city bus operations with 10,000 e-buses on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Associated Infrastructure will provide support for the Development/ up-gradation of depot infrastructure; and the Creation of behind-the-meter power infrastructure (substation, etc.) for e-buses.

Segment B– Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI): (181 cities)

• The scheme envisages green initiatives like bus priority, infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, NCMC-based Automated Fare Collection Systems, Charging infrastructure, etc.
• Support for Operation: Under the scheme, States/Cities shall be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to the bus operators. The Central Government will support these bus operations by providing subsidies to the extent specified in the proposed scheme.

Expansion of the Digital India programme with an outlay of ₹ 14,903 crore

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the expansion of the Digital India programme.
• The total outlay is ₹14,903 crores.

This would enable the following:

• 25 lakh IT professionals will be re-skilled and up-skilled under the FutureSkills Prime Programme;
• lakh persons will be trained in information security under the Information Security & Education Awareness Phase (ISEA) Programme;
• 540 additional services will be available under the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app/ platform. At present over 1,700 services are already available on UMANG;
• 9 more supercomputers will be added under National Super Computer Mission. This is in addition to 18 supercomputers already deployed;
• Bhashini, the AI-enabled multi-language translation tool (currently available in 10 languages) will be rolled out in all 22 scheduled 8 languages;
• Modernisation of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) which connects 1,787 educational institutions;
• Digital document verification facility under DigiLocker will now be available to MSMEs and other organisations;
• 1,200 startups will be supported in Tier 2/3 cities;
• 3 Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence on health, agriculture and sustainable cities will be set up;
• Cyber-awareness courses for 12 crores college students;
• New initiatives in the area of cyber security including the development of tools and integration of more than 200 sites with the National Cyber Coordination Centre
• Today’s announcement will give a boost to the digital economy of India, drive digital access to services and support India’s IT and electronics ecosystem.

Mutual Recognition Arrangement of Authorised Economic Operators between India and Australia

• The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Government of India and the Department of Home Affairs incorporating the Australian Border Force, Australian Government.
• The arrangement is aimed at providing reciprocal benefits to accredited and trusted exporters of both the signatories in the clearance of goods by the Customs authorities of the importing country.
• Mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators is a key element of the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade to strengthen end-to-end security of supply chains while providing higher facilitation to trade at the global level.
• This arrangement shall benefit our exporters to Australia and thereby promote a trade relationship between the two countries.
• Mutual Recognition of the Australian Trusted Trader Program in Australia and the Authorized Economic Operator Program in India shall enter into force from the date of signing by the authorized representatives of both countries.
• The text of the proposed Mutual Recognition Arrangement has been finalized with the concurrence of the Customs Administrations of both countries.

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Sports between India and Australia

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Sports between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of the Republic of India and the Department of Health and Aged Care of the Government of Australia.
• Bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports between India and Australia will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the area of sports sciences, technologies and infrastructure; athlete and coach training and development; sports governance and integrity; grassroots participation in sport; major sporting events; diversity and inclusion in sport which would result in improvement in performance of our sportspersons in international tournaments and strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Australia.
• Benefits arising from bilateral cooperation in the field of sports with Australia would be equally applicable to all sportspersons irrespective of their caste, creed, region, religion and gender.

MoU between India and Suriname in the field of Medical Products Regulation

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname on cooperation in the field of Medical Product Regulation.
• This was signed during the visit of the President of India to Suriname.
• The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to facilitate a constructive dialogue on the laws and regulations pertinent to medical products as well as other relevant matters.
• The MoU seeks to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation and exchange of information between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname in matters relating to Medical products regulation in line with their international responsibilities.
• The MoU will facilitate the export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings. This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The signed MoU between the regulatory authorities of the two countries will facilitate a better understanding of medical products regulation about pharmaceuticals including raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices and cosmetic products.
• The MoU will promote the exchange of information and cooperation in areas pertinent to medical products and relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the parties.

MoU between India and Suriname in the field of the regulation of medicines

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname for Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) in Suriname.
• This was signed during the visit of the President of India to Suriname.
• The Memorandum of Understanding will facilitate the export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings.
• This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• International recognition of the Indian pharmacopoeia! Standards have several benefits for the Indian pharmaceutical sector
• The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is officially recognized by five (5) countries: Afghanistan, Ghana, Nepal, Mauritius and the Republic of Suriname.
• The Ministry seeks to expand the nations which recognize the IP.

Seven Multi-tracking Projects totalling 2339 Kms. across Indian Railways, amounting to around Rs 32,500 crore

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi approved Seven projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 Crore, with 100% funding from Central Government.
• The proposals of multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
• The projects covering 35 Districts in 9 States i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 Kms. and will employ 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the states.
• The projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by creating a Multi-tasking workforce in the region and will enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities.
• The projects are the result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-model connectivity which has been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

DMRC unveils CarbonLite Metro Travel initiative to make passengers aware of CO2 emissions reduction

• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) unveiled a pioneering initiative called CarbonLite Metro Travel to educate passengers about their significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by choosing metro trains.

About CarbonLite Metro Travel :

• It is a new initiative of the DMRC to help people understand their contribution to reducing CO2 emissions by opting for metro rail services.
• With this initiative, daily commuters will now be able to understand and learn about the average amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions they are decreasing with their simple step of selecting the metro as their means of transportation.
• The amount of CO2 will be calculated based on a comparison to road-based motor vehicles.
• It also aims to persuade commuters to choose an environmentally friendly method of transportation over motorised alternatives, thereby supporting a cleaner and more ecologically balanced environment.
• The initiative is in line with the Government of India’s Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE).

Who can avail of this facility?

• People travelling with QR code-based tickets will be able to avail of this facility.
• Information about the decrease in CO2 emissions caused by metro travel will be prominently displayed on both mobile QR code tickets and physical tickets.
• Supported by comprehensive research conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Delhi, the initiative underscores that each kilometre travelled by metro train instead of road vehicles results in a noteworthy reduction of 32.38 gram of CO2 emissions.

About DMRC :

• Founded : 3 May 1995
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Chairman : Manoj Joshi
• Managing Director : Vikas Kumar
• The DMRC is a centre-state joint venture that operates the Delhi Metro and Noida Metro.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India Signs MoU with Trinidad and Tobago on sharing INDIA STACK

• India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing INDIA STACK — a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
• Both sides agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation using capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions, etc.
• This collaboration comes after Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator Mr Hassel Bacchus.
• During the meeting, they discussed cooperation in the fields of IT, emerging technologies, and the India stack.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the National E-Governance Division, MeitY and also from the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Since June 2023, India has already signed MoUs with countries namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda to share India Stack while many countries like Mauritius, and Saudi Arabia have shown interest and are at an advanced stage of finalizing cooperation on IndiaStack.
• A similar MoU was signed with Papua New Guinea also last month, showcasing the growing interest and acceptance of the initiative on a global scale.
• The UPI which is also a part of India Stack, has been accepted in France, UAE, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Government Of India Appoints R Doraiswamy As Managing Director of LIC                                     

• The Government of India (GoI) has appointed R Doraiswamy as managing director (MD) of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with effect from the date of assumption of office on or after 1 September 2023 and continuing until his superannuation on 31 August 2026, or until further instructions, whichever is earlier.
• He has been appointed as MD of LIC in place of Ipe Mini.
• Doraiswamy is currently the central office’s executive director in Mumbai.
• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), which recruits directors for state-owned banks and financial institutions, proposed Doraiswamy as MD in June, 2023.

About FSIB :

• FSIB is a government body set up under the Department of financial service by the central government in 2022.
• It replaced the Banks Board Bureau (BBB).
• Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), leads the FSIB.
• It is entrusted to make recommendations of full-time appointment of directors and non-executive chairman of state-run financial services / Public sector organization and on other matters relating to personnel management in the institution.

About LIC :

• Established : 1956
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Siddharth Mohanty
• Current MDs : Ipe Mini, M Jagannath, Tablesh Panday, Sat Pal Bhanoo

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

President Murmu to launch frigate ‘Vindhyagiri’ in Kolkata on August 17

• The Indian Navy will launch Vindhyagiri, named after a mountain range in Karnataka, on August 17,2023 at the hands of President Droupadi Murmu, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).

About Vindhyagiri frigate :

• Vindhyagiri is the 6th ship of the Project 17A Frigates.
• These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
• It is a technologically advanced Frigate and pays a fitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri, the Leander Class ASW Frigate.
• Under the Project 17A programme, 4 ships by Mumbai-based Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are under construction.
• The project’s first 5 ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.
• These ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, the pioneer organisation for all warship design activities.
• As much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

About old INS Vindhyagiri :

• It was the 6th and last of the Nilgiri class frigates in its nearly 31 years of service from 8 July 1981 to 11 June 2012, had seen many multinational exercises and performed maritime surveillance, coastal patrol and anti-piracy operations.
• It was decommissioned after being damaged in an accident with a merchant vessel in 2011.

About Indian Navy :

• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
• Chief of the Naval Staff : Admiral R. Hari Kumar

CURRENT AFFAIRS ; SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA spacecraft makes 1st Earth flyby after a 17-year journey

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO-A) spacecraft made its first Earth flyby nearly 17 years after its launch.

About STEREO spacecraft :

• The pair of STEREO spacecraft were launched on October 25, 2006, from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
• The two spacecraft were situated in the Sun’s orbit, STEREO-A (“Ahead”) and STEREO-B (“Behind”).
• The dual-spacecraft mission accomplished its major goal by delivering the first-ever stereoscopic view of our star.
• On February 6, 2011, another significant milestone was achieved as both STEREO-A and -B reached a remarkable 180-degree separation in their orbits, which gave us the full sphere image of the Sun.

Importance of STEREO-A :

• STEREO-A will synthesize its views with those from Nasa’s and the European Space Agency’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and Nasa’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
• The upcoming flyby marks a stark contrast to STEREO-A’s early days in 2006, during the solar minimum when the Sun was relatively quiet.
• Now, as the Sun approaches the solar maximum predicted for 2025, it is far more active, offering a fundamentally different perspective for STEREO-A’s observations.

About NASA :

• Founded : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States
• Administrator : Bill Nelson

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

India’s Mohit Kumar becomes Under 20 World Champion in Men’s 61 kg Freestyle category

• Indian wrestler Mohit Kumar has become the Under 20 World Championship in men’s 61 Kg Freestyle category at Amman City in Jordan.
• Mohit defeated Russia’s Eldar Akhmadudinov by 9-8 in the final to become the fourth Indian Freestyle Wrestler to win a Junior World Championship.
• Mohit is the fourth male wrestler from India to earn a gold medal in the U20 World Championships, following Palwinder Cheema in 2001, Ramesh Kumar in 2001, and Deepak Punia in 2019.
• Jaideep won the 74kg bronze with a win over Kyrgyszstan’s Zhakshylyk Ruslanovich Baitashov. Sagar Jaglan claimed a silver medal in Freestyle 79 kg category while Deepak Chahal won a bronze medal Freestyle 97 kg category on Day second of the event.
• The Indian men’s freestyle team has so far won five medals.

ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings: Star batter Suryakumar Yadav retains top spot, Shubman Gill rises to 25th rank

• In the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings released, star batter Suryakumar Yadav has retained the top spot while Shubman Gill has risen by 43 spots to reach the 25th rank.
• While Suryakumar tops the list with 907 points, way above Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan who is occupying the second spot with 811 points.
• Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is at the third spot with 756 points while South African cricketer Aiden Markram is at the fourth spot with 748 points.
• No other Indian batter is there in the top 10.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes reverses retirement from ODI ahead of World Cup in India

• In cricket, England all-rounder Ben Stokes reversed his decision to retire from One Day Internationals ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup scheduled for October in India.
• Stokes will make his return to the 50-over squad for a series against New Zealand in September.
• According to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement, Stokes returns to the England Men’s ODI team after deciding to reverse his decision to retire from the format while uncapped Surrey quick Gus Atkinson is included in the 15-player squad.
• Stokes last played an ODI for England on the 19th of July, 2022, against South Africa. In 105 ODIs, he has scored 2,924 runs at an average of 38.98 and a strike rate of above 95.
• He has three centuries and 21 fifties in 90 innings. He has also taken 74 wickets in the format.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Sulabh International Founder & Public toilets pioneer Bindeshwar Pathak Passed away

• Social worker Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International and a pioneer in building public toilets Passed away at the age of 80 in New Delhi, Delhi.

About Bindeshwar Pathak :

• Bindeshwar Pathak was born in Hajipur, Bihar, on 2 April 1943.
• He first came to understand the plight of scavengers in 1968 when he joined the Bhangi-Mukti (scavengers’ liberation) Cell of the Bihar Gandhi Centenary Celebrations Committee.
• In 1970, he founded Sulabh International, a non-profit organisation that has carried out extensive work on the conversion of dry latrines into modern toilets in over 17,00 towns, and has helped build over 160,835 toilets.
• He was the Brand Ambassador for Swachh Rail Mission of Indian Railways.
• In 2016, New York City declared April 14 as ‘Bindeshwar Pathak Day’ in recognition of the contributions made by him and his organisation for improving the lives of people engaged in the “most dehumanising situation”.

Famous Books :

• He authored several books, the best known of which is The Road to Freedom, and was a frequent participant in conferences on sanitation, health and social progress around the world.

Awards & Honors :

• In 1991, Pathak was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his work for liberating and rehabilitating manual scavengers and also for preventing environmental pollution by providing pour-flush toilet technology
• In 2009, he received the Stockholm Water Prize.
• He was presented with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Academics and Management for the year 2017.
• In June 2018 he was honoured with the Nikkei Asia prize for culture and community by Nikkei inc in Tokyo, Japan.

About Sulabh International :

• Sulabh International is an India-based social service organization that works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, non-conventional sources of energy, waste management and social reforms through education.
• The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements has praised Sulabh’s sanitation system as a global “Urban Best Practice” at the Habitat-II conference held at Istanbul, Turkey, in June 1996.
• The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations granted Special Consultative Status to Sulabh in recognition of its work.

Renowned nuclear physicist & the recipient of Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan awardee Bikash Sinha Passed away

• Renowned nuclear physicist Bikash Sinha passed away at the age of 78 in Kolkata.

About Bikash Sinha :

• Bikash Sinha was born on 16 June 1945 in Kandi, Murshidabad, West Bengal.
• He was the former director of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics and Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre.
• Sinha specialised in nuclear physics, high energy physics, Quark Gluon Plasma, and early cosmology.
• For the first time, he led the Indian team to participate in the experiments of the European Atomic Research Organization in Geneva.

Awards & Honors :

• Sinha was the recipient of N. Bose Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress Association in 1994.
• He was awarded the Humboldt Research Award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, in November 2005.
• He was awarded the RD Birla Award for Excellence in Physics in 2002.
• He was awarded the Megnhad Saha Memorial Lecture Award (2007) from The National Academy of Sciences, India.
• He was conferred by the West Bengal government the state’s highest award ‘Bangabibhushan’ in 2022 and also the ‘Rabindra Smriti Puraskar’ in 2022.
• Sinha was conferred the Padma Bhushan Award in 2010 for his significant contribution in science and technology.
• He also received the Padma Shri in 2001

Padma Shri Scientist Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao Passed away

• An eminent Indian scientist and Padma Shri awardee Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao, popularly known as MRS Rao passed away in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

About MRS Rao :

• MRS Rao Born on January 21, 1948, in Mysuru,Karnataka.
• He was the 1st scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology research in India.
• He was working as an Honorary Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and was actively running the Chromatin Biology laboratory in the institute.
• From 2003–2013 he was president of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bangalore,

Awards & Honors :

• He was awarded the 4th-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, for Science and Engineering in 2010.
• He was also honoured by the Karnataka state government with the Sir MV Visvesvaraya Award for his contribution to the field of science and research.

Daily CA One-Liner: August 18

• A new technology developed by Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is now all set to be deployed to increase last mile connectivity of banking services in remote areas.
• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) unveiled a pioneering initiative called CarbonLite Metro Travel to educate passengers about their significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by choosing metro trains.
• The Government of India (GoI) has appointed R Doraiswamy as managing director (MD) of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with effect from the date of assumption of office on or after 1 September 2023 and continuing until his superannuation on 31 August 2026, or until further instructions, whichever is earlier.
• The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a bus scheme “PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on the PPP model.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the expansion of the Digital India programme.
• The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Government of India and the Department of Home Affairs incorporating the Australian Border Force, Australian Government.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Sports between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of the Republic of India and the Department of Health and Aged Care of the Government of Australia.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname on cooperation in the field of Medical Product Regulation.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname for Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) in Suriname.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi approved Seven projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 Crore, with 100% funding from Central Government.
• India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing INDIA STACK — a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
• Indian wrestler Mohit Kumar has become the Under 20 World Championship in men’s 61 Kg Freestyle category at Amman City in Jordan.
• In the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings released, star batter Suryakumar Yadav has retained the top spot while Shubman Gill has risen by 43 spots to reach the 25th rank.
• In cricket, England all-rounder Ben Stokes reversed his decision to retire from One Day Internationals ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup scheduled for October in India.
• The Indian Navy will launch Vindhyagiri, named after a mountain range in Karnataka, on August 17,2023 at the hands of President Droupadi Murmu, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO-A) spacecraft made its first Earth flyby nearly 17 years after its launch.
• Social worker Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International and a pioneer in building public toilets Passed away at the age of 80 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• Renowned nuclear physicist Bikash Sinha passed away at the age of 78 in Kolkata.
• An eminent Indian scientist and Padma Shri awardee Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao, popularly known as MRS Rao passed away in Bengaluru, Karnataka.