Current Affairs in English – April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

National Events:

eShram:

• The Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav introduced new functionalities on the eShram portal. One of the features will enable the capture of family details of migrant workers to provide them with access to child education and women-centric schemes.
• The eShram portal now allows registered workers to connect with employment opportunities, apprenticeship programs, skilling initiatives, digital training, pension schemes, and state-specific schemes.
• As per the statement released by the Ministry of Labour, this step will aid workers in accessing various government benefits seamlessly.

Ministry: – Ministry of Labour & Employment

Launch Year: – August 26, 2021.

Mana village:

• Mana village in Uttarakhand, which was previously recognized as the last Indian village, will now be acknowledged as the “first Indian village.” The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has installed a signboard at the entrance of the border village to declare Mana’s updated status.
• This decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s assertion that Mana was the first village in the country, and all border villages should be recognized as such.
• PM Modi, who visited Mana in October last year, stated that areas that were previously viewed as the end of the country’s borders should now be viewed as the beginning of the country’s prosperity.

SWAGAT:

• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has declared the last week of April as “Swagat Saptah” in commemoration of the completion of 20 years of the “State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology” (SWAGAT) initiative, which was launched by Narendra Modi during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2003.
• As part of this initiative, a technology-based system was developed to address grievances, and on the last Thursday of each month, the Chief Minister personally listens to the complaints of citizens in the presence of relevant officials.

“Zero Shadow Day’:

• On April 25, Bengaluru, India’s technological hub, is poised to witness a unique celestial event known as “Zero Shadow Day,” according to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI).
• During this event, any vertical objects in the city will not cast any shadows, due to the sun’s position directly overhead.
• The phenomenon is expected to occur at around 12:17 PM and will last for a brief period. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Koramangala, Bengaluru, has made arrangements to observe the event, while citizens across the city are also geared up to witness it.

TeLEOS-2 and Lumelite-4:

• TeLEOS-2 and Lumelite-4, two Singaporean satellites, were successfully launched into orbit by the dependable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) while seven other payloads attached to the PS4 upper stage were used for experiments, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

IIT Guwahati:

• IIT Guwahati Researchers Develop Time-Bomb Liquid Marbles with Nanoclay for Controlled Drug Delivery. Liquid marbles are small droplets of liquid that are coated with hydrophobic particles.
• The nanoclay coating regulates the rate of drug release, allowing for a more controlled and effective treatment. This method of drug delivery can be used in treatment of diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Ist Vande Bharat Express:

• PM Narendra modi flagged off Kerala’s Ist Vande Bharat Express which will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod.
• The train will cover 11 districts namely Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur,Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod.
• Rail electrification of the Dindigul-Palani- Palakkad section will also be dedicated by the Prime Minister.

DRDO & Indian Navy:

• The DRDO and Indian Navy have successfully conducted a trial of a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Interceptor from a naval platform.
• The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat. Earlier DRDO has successfully demonstrated land-based ballistic missile defence system with capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.

Tamil Nadu Events:

Manamadurai pottery:

• Manamadurai pottery, a traditional form of pottery from Tamil Nadu, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Manamadurai in Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu is known for pottery making.
• The pottery is known for its distinctive style, which features intricate designs and vibrant colors. It is made using a mix of locally-sourced clay and is fired in wood-burning kilns.

Shri Sarbananda Sono:

• The Innovation Complex of the National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways and Coasts was inaugurated in Chennai by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sono.
• The center aims to implement research and development for the maritime sector, enabling solutions to achieve the ultimate goal of building a strong maritime industry in the country.

International Events:

Cope India-2023:

• The 6th edition of Cope India-2023, an Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force and United States Air Force, conducted over the last two weeks at Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra, culminated.
• The exercise involved participation of frontline IAF aircraft like Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI and C-130. Aircrew from the Japanese Air Self Defence Force also participated as observers.

Udai Tambar:

• Udai Tambar, an Indian-origin CEO is among 15 experts appointed as members of the newly-formed racial justice advisory board in New York City.
• The board is composed of a diverse group of leaders from different sectors, including government, business, and community organizations.
• The Racial Justice Board was est. by Governor Kathy Hochul in order to address systemic racism & equality in the state.

Second Deepest Blue Hole:

• Mexico Coast Unveils the World’s Second Deepest Blue Hole at 900 Feet. Deep blue holes are usually located in shallow marine waters and are much deeper than the sea water around them.
• The newly found blue hole is located in Chetumal Bay, off the coast of Mexico. The Mexico blue hole has been named Taam Ja’, which means “deep water” in Mayan.

Goldman Environmental Prize:

• Munduruku leader Alessandra Korap has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her work fighting against illegal mining and large-scale projects aimed at facilitating soybean exports in the Tapajos River Basin.
• Korap and other Munduruku women took up the responsibility of defending their people, overturning the traditionally all-male leadership.

World English Day:

• Every year on April 23rd, World English Day is observed as a way to honor the language that has become the most commonly spoken in the world. This year also World English Day 2023 is celebrated on 23rd April.
• This occasion acknowledges the significance and influence of the English language, and its role in promoting international communication and comprehension.
• The theme for World English Day 2023 is “English as a global language: bridging cultures, connecting the world”.

World Malaria Day:

• World Malaria Day (WMD) is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria.
• The aim of World Malaria Day is to raise awareness of the devastating impact of malaria and to mobilize resources and support for malaria control and prevention programs in endemic countries.
• The day serves as an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and governments to come together and renew their commitment to eliminating malaria, which is a preventable and treatable disease.

International Delegate’s Day:

• Every year on April 25th, International Delegate’s Day is observed to pay tribute to the delegates who are an integral part of the United Nations (UN) and play a significant role in its functioning.
• These delegates represent their respective governments and are dedicated to working together under the framework of the UN to address global challenges and achieve multilateral cooperation. Without the efforts and contributions of these delegates, the UN would not be able to function effectively.
• They work towards the resolution of global issues and ensure that the voice of their governments is heard on an international level. The observance of this day is a recognition of their dedication and commitment to promoting peace, security, and prosperity worldwide.

World Day for Laboratory Animals:

• World Day for Laboratory Animals on April 24th advocates for the end of the suffering of animals in laboratories, and their replacement with advanced scientific non-animal techniques.
• Laboratory animals are used for biomedical research to discover the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of diseases, in the cosmetics industry, and more. Because some animals are similar to humans, mice share more than 98% DNA with us, and are subject to similar illnesses such as cancer.
• This day was established by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) more than four decades ago, and since then the campaign has acquired immense popularity and numerous supporters.

SIPRI:

• According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure has reached a new record high of $2240 billion, increasing by 3.7% in real terms in 2022.
• Europe witnessed its most substantial year-on-year increase in military spending in at least 30 years.
• The United States, China, and Russia, which are the three largest military spenders, contributed 56% of the total global military expenditure in 2022.
• These findings were released by SIPRI in its latest report on global military spending. India’s military expenditure in 2022 amounted to $81.4 billion, which is the fourth-highest in the world. This represents a 6% increase compared to the previous year’s spending.

First trilateral consultations:

• The first trilateral consultations between the Foreign Affairs Ministry of India, Armenia, and Iran took place in Yerevan.
• Mnatsakan Safaryan, the deputy foreign minister of Armenia, Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, the assistant of the foreign minister of Iran, and JP Singh, the joint secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, led their respective delegations at the meeting.
• During the trilateral meeting between India, Armenia, and Iran, the participants also discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• This is a freight corridor that connects India, Iran, and Russia, with the goal of reducing the time and cost of transporting cargo from Mumbai to Moscow.