Daily Current Affairs 23rd April 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

States News

The 34th Seng Khihlang Festival Concludes in Wahiajer, Meghalaya

The 34th Seng Khihlang festival, a revered event for adherents of the Khasi Indigenous Faith, recently concluded in Wahiajer, Meghalaya. Spanning from April 19, 2024, the festival celebrated the unity and traditions of the indigenous community. At the heart of this annual gathering lies the symbolic exchange of the Monolith, a cherished ritual that represents the enduring spirit of unity among believers. This year, the esteemed Monolith was received in Wahiajer from Seng Khasi Shaid Shaid, located in the West Khasi Hills.

Largest Temple Festival Thrissur Pooram 2024 Celebrated

The southern Indian state of Kerala is renowned for its rich cultural tapestry, encompassing a diverse array of religions, landscapes, rituals, and histories. Amidst this vibrant melting pot, one festival stands out as a true embodiment of Kerala’s profound cultural heritage – the Thrissur Pooram.

International News

India-Kuwait Relations Strengthened with Inaugural Hindi Radio Broadcast

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait announced the launch of the first-ever Hindi radio broadcast in Kuwait, a significant step to deepen ties between the two nations. Initiated by Kuwait’s Ministry of Information, the program will air every Sunday on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3, highlighting the bond between India and Kuwait.

Nepal Hosts Inaugural Rainbow Tourism Conference

Mayako Pahichan Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, orchestrated the groundbreaking first International Rainbow Tourism Conference. This one-day event marks a significant leap forward in fostering diversity and inclusivity within Nepal’s tourism industry, positioning the country as a welcoming destination for the sexual minority community in South Asia.

Agreements News

ISKCON and NSDC Collaborate for Tribal Skill Development

In a bid to empower tribal and underprivileged youth across India, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have joined forces. The partnership aims to provide vocational training to marginalized communities, initially focusing on Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Defence News

Rashtriya Raksha University’s Strategic Partnership with Starburst Aerospace

Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar, India, and Starburst Aerospace of France have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing innovation in aerospace, defence, and homeland security. This collaboration, aligned with the India-France Strategic Partnership, includes the creation of a 100 million euros venture capital fund and export promotion support for Indian startups.

Honouring the Valiant: Brighton’s Tribute to Indian Soldiers

In a move to honour the courageous Indian soldiers who fought valiantly in the First and Second World Wars, the Brighton and Hove City Council in England has taken a commendable step. They have decided to hold an annual multi-faith event at the town’s India Gate memorial this October, recognizing the pivotal role played by these warriors from the undivided Indian subcontinent.

Awards News

Mohammed Salem’s Award-Winning Photograph at World Press Photo 2024

Mohammed Salem is a Palestinian photographer who works for the news agency Reuters. In 2024, he won a very important award called the World Press Photo of the Year award. The World Press Photo award is a prestigious international competition for photojournalists (photographers who capture news events).

Ratan Tata Receives Prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2021

Renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, was honored with the esteemed KISS Humanitarian Award 2021 at a ceremony held at his Mumbai residence. The award, initiated in 2008 by Achyuta Samanta, recognizes individuals and organizations epitomizing humanitarian efforts globally.

Sports News

Nandini’s Sponsorship of Ireland and Scotland Cricket Teams Sparks Debate

In a move to strengthen its international presence, ‘Nandini’, the dairy brand of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), has announced its decision to sponsor the cricket teams of Scotland and Ireland for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. According to KMF’s managing director, MK Jagadish, the teams will prominently display the ‘Nandini’ brand during the matches.

Casper Ruud wins Barcelona Open, Rybakina clinches Stuttgart Open

In a remarkable achievement, World No. 6 Casper Ruud of Norway defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, clinching the ATP Barcelona Open 500 singles title. The final scoreline of 7-5, 6-3 marked a significant milestone for Ruud, as he secured the biggest trophy of his professional career.

Summits and Conferences News

India Calls for Regional Observation Center at 2024 Ocean Decade Conference

India, led by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, advocated for the establishment of a region-specific ocean observation center during the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference held in Barcelona, Spain. The conference, organized by the Spanish government and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, aimed to assess progress toward the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Science and Technology News

Microsoft’s VASA-1: Bringing Images to Life with AI

Microsoft Research Asia’s AI team has introduced VASA-1, an innovative AI application showcased in a recent paper on arXiv. VASA-1 converts still images into animated representations with synchronized speech or song, exhibiting realistic facial expressions.

Ranks and Reports News

India Ranks Fourth in Global Military Spending in 2023

India has emerged as the fourth largest military spender globally in 2023, allocating $83.6 billion for defense, following the United States, China, and Russia. This significant investment underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities, particularly along the China border post the Ladakh standoff in 2020.

Important Days

World Book and Copyright Day 2024, Date, History and Importance

World Book and Copyright Day is a special day celebrated every year on April 23rd. The main purpose of this day is to promote reading, books, and copyright. On this day, events and activities happening all around the world to honour books and the people who create them – authors. It is a way to encourage everyone to read books and understand why it is important to protect the rights of writers and publishers.

Miscellaneous News

Shompen Tribe Casts Historic Votes in Andaman and Nicobar Elections

On a momentous occasion, members of the Shompen tribe, one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), exercised their democratic right for the first time by casting votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency elections. This significant event marks a milestone for the indigenous community residing in the dense tropical rainforests of the Great Nicobar island.

23rd April CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR