Current Affairs Apr 2023
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the book ‘Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamprashastih’
At the end of the ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’ event, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, revealed a book called ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam Prashasti,’ authored by Somnath Sanskrit University. The Sangam celebrates the cultural and historical bond between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, as many people migrated from the Saurashtra region to Tamil Nadu several centuries ago. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam event allowed Saurashtrian Tamils to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
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NASA Successfully Extracts Oxygen from Lunar Soil Simulant
NASA scientists have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment, which could pave the way for future human colonies on the Moon. The ability to extract oxygen from lunar soil is crucial for providing breathable air for astronauts and can also be used as propellant for transportation and space exploration.
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Emirates introduces first robotic check-in assistant in the world
Sara, the world’s first robotic check-in assistant, has been unveiled by Dubai-based airline Emirates. Sara is part of a new City Check-in and Travel Store which recently opened in Dubai’s financial district. The robot uses facial recognition technology to match customer’s faces with scanned passports, check them in, and guide them to the luggage drop area.
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IIT Bombay’s SHUNYA Takes Second Place in Solar Decathlon Build Challenge in the US
The SHUNYA team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay earned the second position in the Solar Decathlon Build Challenge held in the US. They designed a zero-energy house to tackle air pollution issues in Mumbai’s hot and humid climate. SHUNYA is a group of students from IIT Bombay who are committed to creating a sustainable future.
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Siddhartha Mohanty appointed as Chairman of LIC Until June 2024
The government announced the appointment of Siddhartha Mohanty as the Chairperson of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) until June 29, 2024. Following this, he will serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer until June 7, 2025, as stated by LIC in a release. Mohanty, who is currently the Managing Director, had been serving as the interim Chairperson of the state-run life insurance company since March 14, replacing M R Kumar, whose term ended on March 13, 2023.
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Reliance General becomes first insurer to accept CBDC in tie-up with YES Bank
Reliance General Insurance has made history by becoming the first general insurance company to accept the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) e-Rupee (e₹) for premium payments. The insurer has partnered with YES Bank to facilitate the collection of premiums in digital mode using the bank’s e-rupee platform.
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NPCI Bharat BillPay launches NOCS platform to process ONDC transactions
The National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) subsidiary, NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL), has launched the NOCS platform to provide reconciliation and settlement services for transactions made on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network. This platform will serve as the foundation for the ONDC network and enable secure and timely transfer of funds to network participants.
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3 new conservation reserves declared in Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government’s recent declaration of three areas as conservation reserves has brought a ray of hope for wildlife conservation efforts and ecotourism in the state. As the state government declared three areas — Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara — as conservation reserves. The new reserves are expected to protect rare and endangered species and provide a safe haven for migratory birds.
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PM Modi inaugurates ‘NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute’ in Silvassa town, located in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The institute has been developed under the Ministry of Health and is spread over a lush green campus of 14.48 acres built at a cost of ₹203 crore. Here are five things to know about this new medical college.
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Uttarakhand Minister Chandan Ram Dass Passes Away
Uttarakhand minister Chandan Ram Dass passed away at the state’s Bageshwar district hospital. Dass, MLA (member of legislative assembly) from Bageshwar constituency, held the portfolio of social welfare and transport. The Uttarakhand government has decided to close all offices of the state government for a day.