Daily Current Affairs 22 August 2023, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 22 August 2023. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on ‘Green’ Hydrogen, Digi Yatra, World Water Week 2023.

Top 16 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 22 August 2023

National News

1.CSIR Introduces ‘Namoh 108’: A New Lotus Species Honoring PM Modi’s Legacy

• In a significant tribute to the tireless efforts and remarkable leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has introduced a new lotus species called ‘Namoh 108’.
• This unveiling took place during a special event at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow. The lotus, which boasts an astonishing 108 petals, was discovered several years ago in the region of Manipur and has since been part of the institute’s collection of flora under study.
• The lotus is distinguished by its 108 petals, an attribute that differentiates it from other Indian lotus species. ‘Namoh 108’ is the only lotus variety in India to have its genome sequenced. This unique achievement sets it apart on the global stage, with the only other sequenced lotus variety hailing from China and being distinctly different.

2.India announces ‘Green’ Hydrogen standard

• India has announced the definition of Green Hydrogen. The Green Hydrogen Standard for India sets a criterion of 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg H2 as a 12-month average emission threshold.
• The guidelines established by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, delineate the emission benchmarks that must be fulfilled for hydrogen production to qualify as ‘Green’, signifying its origin from renewable sources.
• Green hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and highly combustible gaseous substance. This form of hydrogen plays a key factor in transitioning towards a carbon-neutral economy while aiding in climate change mitigation.

3.Nitin Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP(New Car Assessment Programme)

• The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) was launched by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari on August 22, 2023, in New Delhi.
• The program aims to enhance road safety by elevating vehicle safety standards for up to 3.5-tonne vehicles in India. Bharat NCAP will also greatly push the safety and quality of the vehicles in India, while simultaneously promoting a healthy competition among OEMs to manufacture safer vehicles.
• Bharat NCAP will help to improve the safety of vehicles in India. It will promote a healthy competition among OEMs to manufacture safer vehicles and create awareness among consumers about the safety features of vehicles. Moreover it will help to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities in India.

State News

4.Onam 2023: History, Significance and Celebrations of Kerala’s Harvesting Festival

• The enchanting festivities of Onam, a significant cultural celebration in the state of Kerala, have graced the calendar from August 20 to August 31 this year. Stretching over a span of ten days, the Thiru-Onam or Thiruvonam celebrations carry an air of excitement and exuberance as they commemorate the return of the revered King Mahabali, also known as Maveli. This vibrant festival is an emblem of Kerala’s rich heritage and cultural splendor.
• Each day of Onam is imbued with its own unique significance, contributing to the grand tapestry of this festive period. The sequence of days – Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and finally, Thiruvonam – is carefully woven into the cultural fabric of the event. These days hold rituals, traditions, and festivities that resonate with the hearts of the people.
• Occurring between the months of August and September according to the Malayali calendar, Onam heralds the commencement of the Malayalam year, known as Kolla Varsham.

5.Guwahati Airport Becomes First In Northeast To Get ‘Digi Yatra’ Facility

• In a significant stride towards enhancing the air travel experience in the Northeastern region of India, Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LBBI) has become the first airport in the area to introduce the innovative ‘Digi Yatra‘ facility.
• The Digi Yatra initiative has been introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the goal of modernizing air travel and streamlining airport processes.
• The Digi Yatra initiative revolves around the use of facial recognition technology to create a seamless airport journey for passengers. This technological marvel aims to eliminate the need for traditional methods of ticket verification and ID checks at various touchpoints within the airport premises.

6.TN CM Stalin Lays Foundation Stone For South-East Asia’s Largest Desalination Plant

• In a significant stride towards resolving the water crisis gripping Chennai city, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M K Stalin, has laid the foundation stone for what is set to become South East Asia’s largest water desalination project.
• Spearheaded by VA Tech Wabag, a renowned pure-play water technology Indian Multinational Group based in Chennai, this project is poised to revolutionize the region’s water supply. With an ambitious investment of Rs 4,400 crore, this initiative holds the potential to alleviate Chennai’s water scarcity concerns and elevate the city’s status as a water-sustainable urban center.
• The goal of the project is to establish a Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility with the capacity to generate an impressive 400 million liters per day (MLD) of clean, drinkable water.

Banking News

7.Canara Bank Pioneers UPI-Interoperable Digital Rupee Mobile App for CBDC Transactions

• Canara Bank, a leading player in the Indian banking sector, has taken a monumental step by introducing the UPI interoperable digital rupee mobile application. This move places Canara Bank at the forefront of innovation, becoming the first bank across both the public and commercial sectors to offer this pioneering feature.
• The app, named the Canara Digital Rupee app, marks a significant milestone as a part of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project.
• This forward-thinking initiative empowers customers to seamlessly complete transactions through their smartphones. With the Canara Digital Rupee app, customers can effortlessly scan merchant UPI QR codes, facilitating payments using the digital currency. This streamlined process brings a new level of convenience to digital payments, enhancing the overall transaction experience for users.

Appointments News

8.Viacom18 Appoints Google’s Kiran Mani as CEO of Digital Business

• In a strategic move to bolster its digital business operations, Viacom18 has welcomed Kiran Mani, a seasoned executive from Google, as the new CEO.
• Currently serving as the General Manager and MD for Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region, Mani’s 13-year tenure at Google underscores his deep understanding of digital markets.
• Kiran Mani’s longstanding association with Google speaks volumes about his ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital platforms. His role as the head of Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region has equipped him with valuable insights into user behaviors, content consumption patterns, and market trends. This expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in his new role as CEO of Viacom18’s digital business.

9.Neelkanth Mishra appointed part-time chairman of UIDAI

• The Centre has announced the appointment of Neelkanth Mishra as the part-time Chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Mr. Mishra, known for his expertise in economics and research, currently serves as the Chief Economist of Axis Bank and also holds the position of Head of Global Research at Axis Capital.
• Neelkanth Mishra boasts an impressive professional journey that spans several decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the world of finance and research. Prior to his association with Axis Bank, he spent twenty years at Credit Suisse, a prominent financial institution based in Zurich.
• In addition to appointing Neelkanth Mishra as the part-time Chairperson, the government has also announced the appointment of two distinguished individuals-Mausam, an Associate Professor & Nilesh Shah, the Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited as part-time Members of the UIDAI.

10.SBI Appoints Four Directors To The Board

• The State Bank of India (SBI) has appointed four directors namely Ketan Shivji Vikamsey, Mrugank Madhukar Paranjape, Rajesh Kumar Dubey and Dharmendra Singh Shekhawat to the central board of the bank. They were appointed for a period of 3 years with effect form 26th June 2023 to 25th June 2026.
• Ketan Shivji Vikamsey is a is a senior partner at KKC & Associates LLP (formerly Khimji Kunverji & Co LLP), Chartered Accountants, established in 1936. Mrugank Madhukar Paranjape is currently the Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEEO) of NCDEX e-Markets Limited. Previously, he has served as the MD & CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited.
• Rajesh Kumar Dubey is presently holding the charge of Executive Director (Personnel) at Life Insurance Corporation of India(LIC). Dharmendra Singh Shekhawat is a main Partner of M/s. D. S. Shekhawat & Associates, Chartered Accountants since September 2002 and is also the Chairman of the Th. Jaswant Singh Memorial Trust.

Summits and Conferences News

11.Om Birla Inaugurates 9th C’wealth Parliamentary Conference in Udaipur

• The eagerly awaited Ninth India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) took place in the historic city of Udaipur, located in the state of Rajasthan. Stretched across a duration of two days, the event received its inauguration from the distinguished Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla.
• With the core objective of exploring the theme “Enhancing Democracy and Effective Governance in the Digital Era,” the conference aimed to facilitate insightful discussions and exchange of ideas among its participants.
• The core theme of the conference reflected the urgent requirement to adjust democratic institutions in response to the challenges and possibilities presented by the digital revolution, while concurrently upholding the tenets of democratic values and sound governance.

12.G20 Pandemic Fund Allocates $25 Million to Enhance Animal Health System in India

• The G20 Pandemic Fund has recently granted a significant sum of $25 million to India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. This funding is aimed at bolstering the country’s animal health system, which is a crucial component of the comprehensive One Health strategy for preventing and responding to pandemics.
• Notably, a substantial majority of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declared international health emergencies in recent times have been of animal origin. This reinforces the significance of addressing animal health as a pivotal facet of pandemic readiness and reaction.
• The execution of this project will be a collaborative effort, with primary implementation led by the Asian Development Bank, supported by The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Agreements News

13.India, ASEAN agree to review FTA by 2025

• India and the ASEAN countries have come to an agreement to reevaluate their existing free trade pact for goods. The aim of this review is to address the existing trade imbalances and disparities between the two parties.
• The announcement was made by the Commerce Ministry, indicating the commitment to enhance bilateral trade relations. During a pivotal ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting held in Indonesia, the ministers collectively agreed to a strategic approach for the review process.
• The forthcoming review of the AITIGA signifies a substantial opportunity to boost and diversify trade engagements between India and ASEAN nations. By addressing the existing trade asymmetry, the review aims to create a more equitable platform for economic interactions.

Important Days News

14.International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2023

• The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed annually on August 22nd.
• It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, following the adoption of the landmark resolution 73/328 on “Combating intolerance, discrimination, stigmatization, violence and acts of violence against persons based on religion or belief”.
• The day was adopted at the 73rd UN General Assembly on 28 May 2019 as proposed by Poland. It spreads awareness that international communities must work together to achieve justice for the survivors of past abuses by holding perpetrators accountable and demonstrating to governments that action must be taken to ‘never again’ tolerate genocide or other atrocities.

15.World Water Week 2023: Date, Theme, Significance and History

• World Water Week is a global event which is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute every year since 1991.
• The programme will be held from August 20 to 24 at the Waterfront Congress Center. It is a non-profit event which aims to develop solutions for the international water crisis (alongside several other problems). Water is one of the most essential gifts of nature that we require in our daily lives. From drinking to cleaning, water serves multiple purposes in our lives. Hence, it becomes equally important for us to conserve it.
• The theme, Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, invites a rethink of how water is managed, and urges consideration of the ideas, innovations, and governance systems that are needed in an increasingly unstable and water scarce world.

Sports News

16.Tirupati boy bags silver at Singapore Math Olympiad

• In a remarkable feat of intellectual prowess, Raja Anirudh Sriram, a fourth-standard student hailing from Tirupati, has clinched a silver medal at the prestigious Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC).
• Among the 23 Indians representing the nation at the SIMOC, Raja Anirudh stood out as the sole participant from Andhra Pradesh. The event, which saw the participation of over 2000 students from 32 different countries, was a platform for young mathematical minds to showcase their skills and knowledge.
• The young mathematical sensation’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by his local community and authorities. Tirupati District Collector K. Venkataramana Reddy took the opportunity to commend Raja Anirudh for his remarkable accomplishment.

Important Current Affairs of 22nd August 2023

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