Current Affairs March 17th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Canara Bank launches Rupay Credit Card on UPI

• Canara Bank in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Rupay Credit Card through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) using the BHIM(Bharat Interface for Money) app

Aim : 

• To leverage the reach of UPI and the strength of credit card products.

Key Highlights : 

• With this introduction, Canara Bank customers can link their active Rupay Credit Card to UPI and make merchant payments without the physical use of a card, similar to account-based UPI transactions.
• This will provide increased opportunities to use their credit card limits, while merchants without POS(Point of Sale) machines can receive payments using a Credit Card from customers having Rupay Credit Card linked to UPI using the mode of scan and pay through QR.
• This will enable small merchants to increase sales turnover and business at low cost.
• Currently, customers with Canara Bank Rupay Credit Card variants – Rupay Classic, Rupay Platinum, and Rupay Select – can link their cards to UPI

About Canara Bank : 

• Headquarters : Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Non Executive Chairman : Vijay Srirangam
• MD & CEO: K. Satyanarayana Raju
• Tagline : Together We Can
• The Canara Bank nationalised in 1969.
• Canara Bank is an Indian public sector bank under the control and ownership of the Ministry of Finance(MoF), Government of India (GoI).

About NPCI : 

• Founded : 2008
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Dilip Asbe

HDFC Bank & Flipkart Wholesale Launches Industry-First Co-Branded Credit Card   

• Private lender HDFC Bank and Flipkart Wholesale launched an industry-first co-branded credit card exclusively for Flipkart Wholesale members.

Key Highlights : 

• The credit card will run on the Diners Club International network, part of the Discover Global Network and can be used in more than 200 countries around the world where Diners Club cards are accepted.
• As part of this collaboration, registered members of Flipkart Wholesale will be able to avail of 5% cashback – an industry-first offer, on Flipkart Wholesale online spends.
• Other benefits include Rs 1,500 worth of activation cashback, with zero joining fee, along with additional cashback on utility bills and other expenses.
• The cards will enhance access to credit and accelerate the adoption of digital payments while offering multiple benefits to smaller merchants in India.

About HDFC Bank : 

• Founded : August 1994
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Sashidhar Jagdishan
• Tagline : We Understand Your World

About Flipkart Wholesale : 

• Flipkart Wholesale is a new digital marketplace focusing on addressing the business-to-business (B2B) segment in India.

ICICI Bank launches Ecosystem Banking for Indian Startups   

• ICICI Bank announced ‘Startup Ecosystem Banking’ to offer digital and physical solutions to startups catering to the banking needs across their various life stages.
• The Bank provides innovative solutions through its domestic and international network, and branches at GIFT City, the Gujarat-based emerging global financial and IT services hub.
• The proposition offers treasury and transaction banking solutions, lending solutions, digital integrations, handling FDI and regulatory compliances, personal banking services for employees and founders.

Key Highlights : 

• The Bank has put in place a dedicated team for startups under the scheme that serves through an extensive network of branches.
• The Bank offers digital opening of Global Foreign Currency Current Account (GFCCA) for overseas holding companies and subsidiaries of Indian startups.
• The Ecosystem Banking further helps startups to open Special Non-Resident Rupee (SNRR) accounts as well as create deposits in both US Dollar and in Indian Rupee.
• The Bank also offers state-of-the-art digital channels namely Corporate Internet Banking (CIB), InstaBIZ mobile application, Trade Online for trade related transactions, Integrated Payment System platform to facilitate vendor and tax payments, and solutions for e-collections and e-mandates.
• Further, the Bank offers an ‘API Developer Portal’, with over 250 APIs, enabling startups to co- create innovative customer solutions aiming to reduce time taken & increase productivity.

About ICICI Bank Limited : 

• Founded : 5 January 1994
• Headquarters :  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi.

PNB MetLife Launches Sustainable Equity Fund

• PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife), one of India’s leading life insurance companies, is launching a Sustainable Equity Fund.
• The new fund which is part of the PNB MetLife Goal Ensuring Multiplier plan, would enable customers to maximise returns while having a good impact on society.
• It will invest the customers’ premium in organisations that are setting the standard for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practises.
• The Sustainable Equity fund promotes ESG principles while also providing a balanced exposure to various industries thanks to its diverse portfolio of businesses.
• These companies place a high value on sustainable activities, such as cutting carbon emissions, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and upholding effective corporate governance.

About PNB MetLife :

• Founded : 2001
• Headquarters : Mumbi, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Ashish Kumar Srivastava
• Brand ambassador for PNB MetLife : PV Sindhu (Ace Badminton player)
• PNB MetLife shareholders include MetLife International Holdings LLC (MIHL), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), and M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited.

Bandhan Mutual Fund launches Bandhan US Treasury Bond 0-1 Year Fund of Fund   

• Bandhan Mutual Fund (erstwhile IDFC Mutual Fund) has launched Bandhan US Treasury Bond 0-1 Year Fund of Fund. 
• This is India’s first passive debt fund in international space.

About Bandhan US Treasury Bond 0-1 Year Fund of Fund : 

• The fund is an open-ended fund of fund scheme investing in units/shares of overseas index funds and/or Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) which track an index with US treasury securities in the 0-1 year maturity range as its constituents.
• The new fund offer (NFO) opened on March 10, 2023, and will close on March 23, 2023. 
• It will invest in an overseas fund with exposure to 0-1 year US treasuries, currently through the JPMorgan BetaBuilders US (United States) Treasury Bond 0-1 year UCITS (Undertakings for the collective investment in Transferable Securities) ETF.
• The fund will be benchmarked against the ICE 0-1 Year US Treasury Securities Index.
• It will provide investors with a convenient route to create a dollar asset that benefits from the relatively high quality, reasonable safety, and current high yield of US Treasuries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bhutan graduated from UN list of Least Developed Country Status

• Bhutan became the 7th nation to graduate from the United Nations (UN) list of Least Developed Countries (LDC).

About LDC :

• The Least Developed Countries (LDC) are developing countries listed by the UN that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.
• The concept first originated in the late 1960s and was codified under UN resolution 2768 passed in November 1971.
• Currently, the UN lists 46 countries that qualify as LDCs.
• Of those, 33 are from Africa, 9 from Asia, 3 from the Pacific and 1 from the Caribbean.
• According to the UN, LDCs are low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development.
• They are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and have low levels of human assets.
• The UN identifies 3 criteria for a country to be classified as an LDC:

1. Income – Gross National Income (GNI) per capita below the threshold of USD 1,230 over a three-year average.
2. Human Assets – Perform poorly on a composite human assets index based on indicators including nutrition, health and education.
3. Economic Vulnerability – Demonstrate economic vulnerability such as being prone to natural disasters and possessing structural economic constraints.

• The criteria are reviewed on a 3-year basis (triennial) by the UN.
• Botswana achieved graduation in 1994 primarily due to its strong economic performance driven by its diamond mining industry and investments in education and infrastructure.

Advantages of being an LDC :

• LDCs also enjoy duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) access to the markets of developed countries.
• LDCs are not restricted by trade restrictions or tariffs when exporting their goods to wealthier nations
• LDCs are also eligible for loans with special terms for development, which include loans with a lower interest rate and a longer repayment time than those given to other nations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

India’s first behavioural lab to be set up in Rajasthan

• The Rajasthan government approved the setting up of India’s first Behavioural lab at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
• It will be set up at the Patel Bhawan at Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration (HCM-RIPA), Jaipur.
• For this, the Chief Minister (CM) Shri Ashok Gehlot has approved a financial proposal of Rs 1.22 crore.

Key Highlights : 

• The lab to be set up in about 2665.04 square feet area will be managed and operated by IIM Udaipur.
• The faculty of the IIM will impart training on applied methods, and certificate courses of Ph.D level will be conducted.
• Experts of the international level will be involved in conducting experiments and workshops and human behaviour will be studied with the help of innovative technology, including ultra-modern software and hardware.
• Training programs will be organised in various colleges and universities in the field of experiential studies through this laboratory, along with imparting training to teachers and programs for practical training.

About Rajasthan : 

• Governor : Kalraj Mishra
• CM : Ashok Gehlot
• Capital : Jaipur
• National Park : Keoladeo National Park, Darrah National Park, Ranthambore National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve : Sariska Tiger Reserve

Bumchu Festival celebrated in Sikkim   

• The Bumchu Festival was celebrated in the Tashiding Monastery, located in the state of Sikkim.
• Bumchu Festival is the Tashiding holy water vase ritual which is a unique and important occasion that draws travellers from all over the world.
• Annual performances of this ancient ceremony are held at the Tashiding Monastery, located in the western part of Sikkim.

Key Highlights : 

• The Bumchu festival commemorates a supernatural occurrence that took place in the 18th century under Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal.
• Bumchu means “pot of sacred water” in Tibetan.
• The vase is opened during the event, and the water inside is shared among the worshippers.
• The water is thought to have healing qualities and to grant luck and riches to those who drink it.
• The celebration takes place on the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month, which often falls in February or March.
• In Sikkim, the Bumchu festival is a time of intense delight and celebration.
• At the event, pilgrims travel to Tashiding from all around India as well as from nearby nations like Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

About Tashiding Monastery : 

• It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites, located on a hilltop overlooking the Rangeet River in Sikkim.

About Sikkim : 

• Governor : Lakshman Acharya
• CM : Prem Singh Tamang
• Capital : Gangtok
• National Park : Khangchendzonga National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

MS Dhoni Appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Viacom18               

• Former India captain & four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni) has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Viacom18 Media Private Limited.
• In partnership with Viacom18, MS Dhoni will participate in various network initiatives and feature on JioCinema, Sports18, and his social media accounts.
• He will also be part of JioCinema’s upcoming TATA IPL campaign.

About Viacom18 Media Private Limited : 

• Founded : November 2007
• Headquarters : Mumbai. Maharashtra, India
• It is a joint venture between Network18 Group, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Paramount Global.

Mr Pankaj Gupta appointed as MD & CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance

• Haryana based Pramerica Life Insurance Limited has appointed Mr Pankaj Gupta as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 
• The appointment has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Board of Pramerica Life Insurance.
• He will be responsible for driving strategic growth led transformation to bring Pramerica Life amongst the leading life Insurance companies in India.
• Pankaj succeeds Ms Kalpana Sampat, who was the previous MD & CEO.
• Gupta joins Pramerica Life Insurance from HDFC Life, where he was the Group Head – Distribution Strategy & Alliances and was part of HDFC Life’s top Leadership team.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

LIC sells 2% stake in NMDC between December & March, garners over Rs 700 crore   

• Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has sold 2% of its equity stake in state-owned NMDC(formerly National Mineral Development Corporation), taking its total shareholding in the public sector unit to 11.69%.
• LIC’s shareholding in the NMDC has decreased from 13.69% to 11.69% during the period between 29 December 2022 and March 14 ,2023 at an average price of ₹119.37 per share.
• The sale of 2% stake or a little over 5.88 crore shares in open market has fetched more than ₹700 crore to LIC.
• Corporation’s shareholding in NMDC Ltd has diluted from 40,14,72,157 to 34,25,97,574 equity shares.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

13th edition of Indo-Singapore Bilateral Army Exercise Bold Kurukshetra held in Jodhpur   

• The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, Rajasthan, India.
• The exercise was hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of the Indian Army. 

Aim : 

• To enhance cooperation, build a common understanding of mechanised warfare, combat emerging threats and adapt to evolving technologies.

Key Highlights : 

• For the first time in the exercise series, both armies participated in a command post Exercise, which involved Battalion and Brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming
• It involved an understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post.
• Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, policy dialogues, courses and other professional exchanges.

History : 

• The exercise was first conducted in 2005
• The 12th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2019 was held in April 2019, at Babina Military Station, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.

Ministry of Defence signs Rs 934 crore contract for refit of Sindhukirti submarine                                 

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract for refit of the INS Sindhukirti (S61) submarine at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL),Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP) at an overall cost of Rs 934 crore.

About INS Sindhukirti : 

• INS Sindhukirti (S61) is the 7th Sindhughosh-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.
• It was built at the Admiralty Shipyard and Sevmash in the Soviet Union.
• Sindhukirti is the 3rd Kilo Class Diesel Electric Submarine.
• It was commissioned on 9 December 1989 in the Soviet Union

About HSL : 

• Established : 21 June 1941
• Headquarters : Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
• Chairman & MD : Commodore Hemant Khatri, (Retd.)

About MoD : 

• Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ajay Bhatt
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha Participates in ‘NAVDEX 23’ & ‘IDEX 23″

• The Indian Navy’s Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumedha took part in two significant regional naval and defence exhibitions: the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) IDEX 23 (International Defense Exhibition) and NAVDEX 23 (Naval Defense Exhibition 23), both of which took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from February 20 to 24, 2023.
• INS Sumedha is part of a large defence delegation that is representing India in the events.

About INS Sumedha : 

• Commissioned in March 2014
• INS Sumedha is a Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV).
• It is the 3rd in the series and has been built at Goa Shipyards Limited.
• The vessel boasts of an array of weapon systems and sensors.
• It is capable of being deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of fleet operations.
• Several naval ships and vessels are participating in NAVDEX from various countries including Kuwait, Britain, Bahrain, Italy, Pakistan and
• UAE’s IDEX is a strategically important tri-service defence exhibition as it is the only international defence exhibition and conference that is held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

India-UAE Defence Ties : 

• Both India and UAE also hold a bilateral navy exercise, ‘Zayed Talwar’.
• The first edition of Indian Navy-UAE Navy bilateral exercise was conducted in March 2018 whereas the last edition was held in August 2021.

About Indian Navy : 

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

NTPC Commissions India’s First ACC at Its North Karanpura Plant in Jharkhand

• NTPC, the country’s largest integrated energy utility, has started commercial operation of 1st Unit of 660 MW at North Karanpura (3*660 MW), in Jharkhand.
• This project has been envisaged with Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) which has almost 1/3rd water footprint as compared to a conventional Water Cooled Condenser (WCC).
• This would result in water saving of around 30.5 mcm annually thus fulfilling the needs of around 1.5 million people in the region annually.
• NTPC has already taken a series of measures across its plant locations on sound water management.
• NTPC will further imbibe the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) for water conservation and management while carrying out its core business activity of power generation.
• NTPC Ltd, is a signatory to the prestigious UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate.
• NTPC is committed to proactively address water sustainability issues through implementing Water Policy, which will serve as a directive for establishing water management strategies, systems, processes, practices and research initiatives.
• The North Karanpura plant will have a total capacity of 1980 MW, 3 Units of 660 MW each.
• This plant is based on one of the Most efficient Supercritical Technology and being a pit head plant (10 Km from coal source) will supply economical power to the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• NTPC has been at the forefront in leveraging technology and have pioneered adoption of new technologies in power sector.
• NTPC is currently meeting 24% of country’s demand through coal, gas, hydro, solar and wind plants.

First international conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage to begin in New Delhi

• First International Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage began in New Delhi.
• In this, India’s ancient historical relations with the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be discussed.
• The purpose of the two-day conference is to explore the commonalities between the Buddhist art, culture and archaeological heritag e among the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• This first event under India’s leadership in SCO has brought Central Asian, East Asian, South Asian and Arab countries on a common platform to discuss the “Common Buddhist Heritage”.
• SCO countries include member states, observer states, and dialogue partners, including China, Russia, and Mongolia.
• The event is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of External Affairs and the International Buddhist Confederation.
• Many Indian scholars of Buddhism will also participate in this program.
• The participants will get an opportunity to visit some of the historical places in Delhi.

Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Kamalam Fruit to be set up at IIHR, Bengaluru

• Recently, the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare approved a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Dragon Fruit (Kamalam Fruit) to be established by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Dragon Fruit is a herbaceous perennial climbing cactus widely known as Pitaya, has its origin in Southern Mexico, Central America and South America.
• Its flowers are hermaphrodites (male and female organs in the same flower) in nature and open at night.
• It grows in all kinds of soil and does not require much water.
• The plant sustains yield for more than 20 years, is high in nutraceutical properties(medicinal effects) and good for value-added processing industries.
• It is widely cultivated in South-East Asia, India, the USA, The Caribbean Islands, and Australia throughout the tropical and sub-tropical world.
• The world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit is Vietnam, where the plant was brought by the French in the 19th century.
• In India, the cultivation of Kamalam Fruit is done in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mizoram and Nagaland.
• In this endeavor under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a roadmap is being prepared for the cultivation of this crop.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.
• Under MIDH, the Government of India (GOI) contributes 60%, of the total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states except states in the North East and the Himalayas, and 40% share is contributed by State Governments.
• In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GOI contributes 90%.
• In the case of the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland and the National Level Agencies (NLA), GOI contributes 100%.

India to send 20 thousand metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port in Iran

• India will send 20 thousand metric tonnes of wheat t o Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port in Iran.
• The External Affairs Ministry said that the decision was made in order to address the current humanitarian situation.
• Holding the first India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Afghanistan in New Delhi, India also discussed the current political, security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan with the participants.
• During the meeting, India and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes agreed to partner for the efforts to counter drug trafficking, including the efforts for rehabilitation of Afghan drug user population.
• Months after the Taliban captured power in Kabul in August 2021, India had announced an assistance of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghan people as they were reeling under a severe food crisis.
• Subsequently, the consignments were sent to Afghanistan using the land route through Pakistan.

Operation Trishul: CBI arrests 33 absconding accused after deportation in one year

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extradited 33 fugitives involved in various criminal activities in the last year.
• Currently, extradition requests for certain criminals are underway and the CBI is working to bring these criminals to India.
• CBI has deported Mohammed Hanif Makkat, who was allegedly involved in a kidnapping, murder case, from Saudi under ‘Operation Trishul’.
• CBI said that the extradition process of big fugitives like Nirav Modi is also processing at a good pace.
• Operation Trishul helps in geo-locating criminals in other countries with help from Interpol.
• CBI launched a multi-phase Operation GARUDA to dismantle drug networks with international linkages in September 2022.
• Operation ‘Megha Chakra’ was launched by CBI against the sharing and dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online.

About CBI:

• Founder: Government of India
• Founded: 1 April 1963
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• DG: Subodh Kumar Jaiswal

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

TCIL enters into a pact with BSNL for Captive Non-Public Network Services

• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) have agreed to work together to offer enterprise customers captive non-public network (CNPN) services.
• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, including TCIL and BSNL (MoC).
• The disruptive 5G technology shall enable widespread industrial automation by providing secure, ultra-reliable, low latency and high throughput communication
• According to the release, the government is supporting several initiatives for the development of indigenous subsystems for 4G/5G networks but for them to succeed and get absorbed in market, they will need to be integrated into commercially deployable solutions that meet customer requirements.

About TCIL:

• Telecommunications Consultants India Limited is a central public sector undertaking.
• It is under the ownership of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
• It was set up in 1978 to give consultations in fields of Telecommunications to developing countries around the world.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 1978, India

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

IIT Guwahati signs MoU with SSA to develop Scientific Temper among students

• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samagra Shiksha, Assam, (SSA) under the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to develop scientific temper and strengthen students’ ability to handle challenging environments.
• The MoU was signed between Prof. Vimal Katiyar, Dean of Research and Development, IIT Guwahati, and Sanjoy Dutta, ACS, Executive Director, Samagra Shiksha, Assam.
• Under this collaboration, IITG will support SSA to conduct various state level activities in a hybrid mode in state-run schools in Assam for secondary students.
• These include state level quiz competitions, state level science and math olympiads, mentoring 330 schools across Assam, formation of science and math clubs in 330 schools across the state, and state level children’s science exhibition.
• For the same, IITG will prepare a roadmap and an activity calendar for the implementation of tinkering labs across all districts in the state of Assam.
• IITG has collaborated with the Assam government for multiple projects to augment holistic development of the region.
• The recent initiative of SSA and IITG under the purview of Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan will open new avenues for higher secondary education in the state.

Tata Steel Mining Signs MoU with GAIL For Clean Fuel

• Tata Steel Mining Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gas Authority of India (GAIL) Limited, in order to reduce its carbon footprint in its operations, and for the supply of natural gas to its Ferro Alloys Plant at Athgarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district.
• As per the MoU, GAIL will supply the agreed quantity of natural gas through its pipeline from Gujarat to Athgarh.
• Tata Steel, in a statement, mentioned that furnace oil emits more carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides than natural gas does.
• Natural gas emits 27% less CO2 and has lower levels of other pollutants.
• The statement also stated that the project will lead to Green House Gas emission reduction of 968 tonnes.

About GAIL:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 1984

About Tata Steel:

• CEO: T. V. Narendran
• Founder: Jamsetji Tata
• Founded: 25 August 1907, Jamshedpur
• Headquarters: Mumbai

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar of ‘Nukkad’ fame passed away                                   

• Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar, best known for essaying the role of Khopdi in the hit ’80s TV show ‘Nukkad’, passed away at the age of 71.

About Sameer Khakhar : 

• Sameer Khakhar’s notable works include TV show “Circus”, “Shrimaan Shrimati” and films such as “Parinda”, Salman Khan-starrer “Jai Ho”, Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra’s “Hasee Toh Phasee”, Sudhir Mishra-directed “Serious Men”, and Vikas Bahl’s web series “Sunflower”.
• Recently, he played a supporting role in Sudhir Mishra’s Netflix film Serious Men, the ZEE5 series Sunflower and Prime Video’s Farzi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Sleep Day- Mar 17

• World Sleep Day 2023 is observed on the 17th March 2023.
• The World Sleep Day theme 2023 is “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World.”
• It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society (founded by WASM and WSF) and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
• World Sleep Day was founded by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Day Society in 2008.
• It is celebrated annually on the Friday before the northern hemisphere vernal equinox.
• World Sleep Day is observed annually on the Friday before the March Equinox.
• The first World Sleep Day was held on 14 March 2008.
• Events involving discussions, presentations of educational materials, and exhibitions take place around the world and online.

Daily CA One-Liner: Mar 17

• NTPC, the country’s largest integrated energy utility, has started commercial operation of 1st Unit of 660 MW at North Karanpura (3*660 MW), in Jharkhand
• First International Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage began in New Delhi
• Recently, the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare approved a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Dragon Fruit (Kamalam Fruit) to be established by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, Karnataka
• India will send 20 thousand metric tonnes of wheat t o Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port in Iran.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extradited 33 fugitives involved in various criminal activities in the last year
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) have agreed to work together to offer enterprise customers captive non-public network (CNPN) services
• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samagra Shiksha, Assam, (SSA) under the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to develop scientific temper and strengthen students’ ability to handle challenging environments
• Tata Steel Mining Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gas Authority of India (GAIL) Limited, in order to reduce its carbon footprint in its operations, and for the supply of natural gas to its Ferro Alloys Plant at Athgarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district
• Canara Bank in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Rupay Credit Card through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) using the BHIM(Bharat Interface for Money) app
• Private lender HDFC Bank and Flipkart Wholesale launched an industry-first co-branded credit card exclusively for Flipkart Wholesale members.
• ICICI Bank announced ‘Startup Ecosystem Banking’ to offer digital and physical solutions to startups catering to the banking needs across their various life stages.
• PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife), one of India’s leading life insurance companies, is launching a Sustainable Equity Fund.
• Bandhan Mutual Fund (erstwhile IDFC Mutual Fund) has launched Bandhan US Treasury Bond 0-1 Year Fund of Fund. 
• Bhutan became the 7th nation to graduate from the United Nations (UN) list of Least Developed Countries (LDC).
• The Rajasthan government approved the setting up of India’s first Behavioural lab at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
• The Bumchu Festival was celebrated in the Tashiding Monastery, located in the state of Sikkim.
• Former India captain & four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni) has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Viacom18 Media Private Limited.
• Haryana based Pramerica Life Insurance Limited has appointed Mr Pankaj Gupta as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 
• Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has sold 2% of its equity stake in state-owned NMDC(formerly National Mineral Development Corporation), taking its total shareholding in the public sector unit to 69%.
• The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, Rajasthan, India.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract for refit of the INS Sindhukirti (S61) submarine at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL),Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP) at an overall cost of Rs 934 crore.
• The Indian Navy’s Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumedha took part in two significant regional naval and defence exhibitions: the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) IDEX 23 (International Defense Exhibition) and NAVDEX 23 (Naval Defense Exhibition 23), both of which took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from February 20 to 24, 2023.
• Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar, best known for essaying the role of Khopdi in the hit ’80s TV show ‘Nukkad’, passed away at the age of 71.
• World Sleep Day 2023 is observed on the 17th March 2023