Current Affairs in English – May 24, 25 2023

May 24-25, 2023

National Events:

Namdev Shirgaonkar:

• Namdev Shirgaonkar of Maharashtra was re-elected unopposed as the President of India Taekwondo in elections for the executive committee.
• Shirgaonkar, who holds a black belt in Taekwondo is also secretary-general of Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA), voiced his approval of being elected unopposed as chief of India Taekwondo.

Sourav Ganguly:

• Former India cricket captain and ex-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly was roped in as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism.
• Ganguly expressed his willingness to be the brand ambassador for Tripura tourism after the state’s Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury met him at his residence in Kolkata.
• Ganguly’s selection as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism is expected to draw significant attention to the state’s unexplored tourist destinations.

UGC:

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new program called ‘NEP SAARTHI – Student Ambassador for Academic Reforms in Transforming Higher Education in India’ with the aim of involving students in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The UGC has requested vice chancellors, directors, and principals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to nominate three students from their respective institutions to be considered as NEP SAARTHIs.

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs:

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is planning to host a two-day National Workshop on the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) on May 24th and 25th, 2023. The workshop will take place at the Convention Hall, The Hotel Ashok, in New Delhi.
• The main objective of this workshop is to promote the adoption of the NeVA platform by all State and Union Territory Legislatures. By utilizing technology, the aim is to bring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to their legislative proceedings.

GAINS 2023:

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a leading defense shipyard in India, has launched a program called GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme – 2023 (GAINS 2023) in Kolkata.
• The aim of this initiative is to identify and promote inznovative solutions for technological advancements in shipbuilding by startups.

Kerala:

• Kerala, the southern state of India, is set to make history by declaring itself as the country’s first “total e-governed state.
• ” Building upon its reputation as the first fully-literate state in India, Kerala has achieved this milestone through a series of policy initiatives aimed at transforming the state into a digitally-empowered society.
• With a focus on a knowledge-based economy and 100% digital literacy, the government has digitized the delivery of vital services across various domains, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility for all citizens.

Garuda Aerospace & Naini Aerospace:

• Garuda Aerospace, a leading drone manufacturer, has joined hands with Naini Aerospace, a subsidiary of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, to establish a joint development partnership.
• This collaboration aims to enable Garuda Aerospace to manufacture Advanced Precision Drones within India for various applications.
• The partnership signifies a significant step towards achieving the Indian government’s vision of producing 1 lakh Made in India drones by 2024.

Microsoft:

• Microsoft has launched Jugalbandi, a generative AI-driven multilingual chatbot accessible via popular messaging platform, WhatsApp.
• The bot has been especially made to cover areas of rural India which aren’t easily penetrated through media and lack access to government’s welfare activities.
• The chatbot has been developed by AI4Bharat in collaboration with IIT Madras. It is aimed at providing personalised assistance by understanding user queries in multiple languages, whether spoken or typed. The chatbot was launched in April and has been tested in Biwan, a village near India’s capital city of New Delhi.

Tamil Nadu Events:

Brick drain:

• During the 3rd phase of excavation work in the village of Maligapuram near Gangaikondacholapuram, Ariyalur district, a structure like a brick drain has been discovered. This canal-like structure is 315 cm long and 45 cm wide from east to west.

International Events:

Hari Budha Magar:

• Hari Budha Magar, a former Gurkha soldier from Nepal who lost both his legs, made history by successfully climbing Mount Everest using prosthetic legs. Upon his return to Kathmandu, he was warmly welcomed by his relatives and family members.
• Speaking to the crowd gathered at the airport, the ex-Nepalese soldier expressed his gratitude and acknowledged that this accomplishment was the result of a collective effort.

Topaz:

• Infosys, a leading IT services company, has launched Topaz, a comprehensive suite of services, solutions, and platforms that harness the power of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
• Topaz is built on Infosys’ applied AI framework, enabling the development of an AI-first core that enhances the capabilities of individuals and organizations to deliver cognitive solutions and accelerate value creation.

 ‘AIRAWAT’:

• The International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) in Germany, the AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, situated at C-DAC, Pune, achieved an impressive global ranking of 75th on the esteemed Top 500 Global Supercomputing List.
• This accomplishment establishes India as a leading nation in the field of AI supercomputing. ‘AIRAWAT’ is part of the Government of India’s National Program on AI and represents a significant stride forward in the country’s AI capabilities.

Axiom Space:

• Axiom Space, a private space habitat company, recently launched their latest mission, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), to the International Space Station (ISS).
• This mission aims to conduct experiments on human stem cell ageing, inflammation, and cancer in the unique microgravity environment of space.
• The findings from these experiments not only contribute to the well-being of astronauts but also hold potential for advancing cancer treatment on Earth.

India and Australia:

• In a significant development highlighting the strengthening ties between India and Australia, the two nations signed crucial agreements on migration and mobility partnership, as well as on the establishment of a Green Hydrogen task force.
• The Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were exchanged following a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney.

Commonwealth Day:

• Commonwealth Day is a worldwide celebration that takes place every year on March 13, although India and certain other countries mark it on May 24. The theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day is “Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future.
• ” Commonly known as Empire Day, the occasion aims to bring together 2.5 billion citizens of the Commonwealth to recognize their shared values and principles.
• It also emphasizes the importance of working together towards a sustainable and peaceful future for all.

International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories:

• The United Nations has designated May 25 to 31 as the “International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.”
• This observance was established by the UN General Assembly on December 6, 1999. According to the UN Charter, a Non-Self-Governing Territory refers to a territory where its people have not yet achieved complete self-government.
• The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories holds significant importance in highlighting the ongoing struggles of these territories and promoting their right to self-determination.

World Thyroid Awareness Day:

• World Thyroid Awareness Day is observed on May 25 every year. The day is dedicated to spreading awareness about thyroid-related disorders, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
• On this day, all the stakeholders aim to educate people about the importance of maintaining a healthy thyroid gland and the impact of thyroid disorders on overall well-being.

Sports Events:

KIUG:

• The highly anticipated third edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) has commenced in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the state’s sporting endeavors.
• With over 4,000 athletes and officials from 207 universities across the country participating in 21 disciplines, the event is set to span 12 action-packed days.
• While the majority of events will take place in five cities of Uttar Pradesh, the shooting competitions will be held in New Delhi.

Dr K. Govindaraj:

• Dr K. Govindaraj elected as the President of International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Asia. He is a Congress MLC. He is also the President of Basketball Federation of India and President of Karnataka Olympic Association.
• Govindaraj was unanimously nominated to take over as President of FIBA Asia. This is the first time that an Indian has been nominated as the President of FIBA Asia.
• The nomination was ratified at the FIBA Asia Congress making Govindaraj, the first Indian to lead the International Basketball Federation in Asia, which includes 44 countries.