Daily Current Affairs- September 21, 2023

Rajya Sabha to debate Women’s Reservation Bill today

• The bill aims to reserve 1/3rd of the seats in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies for women candidates.
• The bill was introduced in 1996 but has been pending for 27 years due to lack of consensus among political parties.
• The bill has been supported by various women’s groups, civil society organizations, and celebrities who have launched campaigns and petitions to urge its passage.
• The bill faces opposition from some parties who argue that it will reduce the representation of marginalized communities and create a gender divide in politics.
• The bill is expected to have a historic impact on the empowerment of women and the transformation of Indian democracy.

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International Day of Peace 2023: Actions for Peace and SDGs

• The International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed on 21 September every year to promote peace, non-violence, and cease-fire.
• The theme for IDP 2023 is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals, which calls for individual and collective responsibility to foster peace and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The IDP 2023 coincides with the SDG summit, which will review the progress and challenges of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs.
• The IDP 2023 also marks the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, which are key instruments for protecting human rights and preventing atrocities.
• The IDP 2023 invites everyone to join the UN campaign ActNow, which inspires people to take action for the SDGs and create a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.
• The IDP 2023 will feature various events, such as the Peace Bell Ceremony, the Youth Event, and the multimedia poem “Peace Begins With Me”, to showcase the actions and commitments of young people and other stakeholders for peace and the SDGs.

Akasa Air gets nod to fly abroad

• Akasa Air is a Mumbai-based budget carrier that started operations in August 2022.
• The civil aviation ministry has approved its request to fly to international destinations, subject to compliance with regulations.
• The airline has 20 aircraft in its fleet, which makes it eligible to apply for international scheduled air transport services.
• The airline plans to fly its first international flight before the end of 2023, targeting destinations within a 5-6 hour radius from India.
• The airline has faced challenges due to resignations of pilots and drop in market share in the past few months.

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Assam to launch scheme for youth empowerment and self-reliance

• The scheme is called “Mukhyamantrir Atmanirbharshil Asom Abhiyan” and aims to provide Rs 2 lakh each to two lakh young individuals.
• The scheme will also offer subsidies, interest-free loans, skill training, and stipends to the selected beneficiaries.
• The scheme will be launched on September 23-24, 2023 and will be implemented over two years.
• The scheme is expected to reduce unemployment, boost self-reliance, and foster a brighter future for the state’s youth.
• The scheme is led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is known for his visionary leadership and forward-thinking approach.

BCCI gives Golden Tickets to Indian icons for World Cup 20231

• The BCCI has launched a program called “Golden Ticket for India Icons” to honor India’s greatest personalities and promote the World Cup 2023.
• The Golden Ticket grants its holders the opportunity to watch all World Cup matches live from the stadium with VIP services.
• The recipients of the Golden Ticket include Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajinikanth, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, S. Somnath, Neeraj Chopra, Sharath Kamal, and Rohan Bopanna.
• The World Cup 2023 anthem song, titled “Dil Jashn Bole”, has also been released to add to the excitement of the tournament.
• The World Cup 2023 will start on October 5th and end on November 19th, featuring ten teams and India as the host nation.

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SBI Life becomes official partner of BCCI for 2023-26 season

• SBI Life is a leading life insurance company in India, jointly owned by the State Bank of India and the BNP Paribas Cardif.
• The company has signed a three-year deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to sponsor the domestic and international cricket matches in India.
• The partnership will start with the upcoming ODI series against Australia, which begins on September 22, 2023.
• The partnership will help to promote and support cricket at all levels in India, as well as enhance the brand visibility and customer reach of SBI Life.
• SBI Life offers a wide range of life insurance products, such as term plans, savings plans, retirement plans, child plans, and health plans.

Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain to be flag-bearers at Asian Games 2023

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has chosen two athletes to jointly lead the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China.
• Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, and Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist boxer, have been selected as the flag-bearers for India.
• India will send a record-breaking contingent of 655 athletes to participate in various sports events at the Asian Games 2023, which will start on September 23.
• Harmanpreet Singh is a world-class drag-flicker who helped India win a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He aims to win a gold medal at the Asian Games and secure a spot for the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Lovlina Borgohain is a boxing sensation who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 69kg category5. She also won a gold medal at the World Women’s Boxing Championship in New Delhi this year.

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Government launches Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar to honor scientists and innovators

• The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is a new set of national awards in the field of science, technology, and innovation, introduced by the Government of India.
• The RVP aims to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of individuals or teams who have made a significant impact on various domains of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
• The RVP consists of four categories: Vigyan Ratna (VR), Vigyan Shri (VS), Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB), and Vigyan Team (VT).
• The RVP covers 13 domains, ensuring comprehensive recognition of achievements in the scientific and technological spectrum. Gender parity is also a crucial aspect of the awards.
• The RVP is open to scientists, technologists, and innovators working in various sectors, including government and private organizations4. Individuals of Indian origin residing abroad who have significantly benefited Indian communities or society as a whole are also eligible.
• The RVP is reviewed by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The RVPC ensures the highest level of transparency and fairness in the selection process.
• The nominations for the RVP are invited annually from January 14th to February 28th7. The winners are announced on May 11th and the award ceremony is held on August 23rd. Each award includes a certificate and a medal.

Education Scheme for Medical Devices Sector Approved by Indian Govt

• The scheme aims to develop a skilled talent pool for the medical devices sector, which is expected to grow from $11 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
• The scheme will provide financial support to government institutions to introduce multidisciplinary courses related to medical devices, covering various technologies and domains.
• The scheme will also foster partnerships with foreign academia and industry organizations to drive innovation and reduce dependence on imported medical devices.
• The scheme is a part of the National Medical Device Policy, 2023, which envisions self-reliance and excellence in the medical devices industry.

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Indian Navy participates in SIMBEX-2023 with Singapore Navy

• SIMBEX is an annual naval exercise between India and Singapore that started in 1994.
• The 30th edition of SIMBEX is held from 21 to 24 September 2023 in Singapore.
• Indian Navy sends two ships, a submarine, and a maritime patrol aircraft to join the exercise.
• The exercise consists of two phases: Harbour Phase and Sea Phase, which involve various professional and operational activities.
• The exercise aims to enhance naval cooperation, interoperability, and regional security.

ADB and India Ratings Differ on India’s FY24 Growth Forecast

• ADB lowers India’s FY24 growth forecast to 6.3% due to erratic monsoons and inflation concerns.
• India Ratings raises India’s FY24 growth estimate to 6.2% citing sustained government capex, deleveraged corporate and banking balance sheets, and subdued global commodity prices.
• Both agencies acknowledge challenges such as global headwinds, tighter financial conditions, fiscal deficit target, and sequential slowdown in economic expansion.
• Both agencies maintain positive outlook for FY25, expecting rising private investment and industrial output.

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