Current Affairs – March 22, 2024
National News
India Launches Operation Indrāvati to Evacuate Its Nationals from Haiti to Dominican Republic
- India has launched Operation Indrāvati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. In a social media post, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that 12 Indians have been evacuated on Thursday.
- He said that the Government of India is fully committed to the security and well-being of the Indian nationals abroad. Dr Jaishankar also thanked the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support.
Dominican Republic:
- Capital: Santo Domingo
- Currency: Dominican Peso
- President: Luis Abinader
BhashaNet Portal Launched by Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan in New Delhi
- Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan today launched the BhashaNet portal based on concept of Universal Acceptance (UA) in New Delhi.
- Speaking on the occasion, Mr Krishnnan said that the launch of the BhashaNet portal represents a crucial step towards fostering digital inclusivity in India and Universal Acceptance is a gateway to it.
- He added government is proud to support this initiative which will connect the users with a truly multilingual internet.
- Mr Krishnnan also emphasized on making such a world where language is not a barrier to online access.
- Universal Acceptance ensures that all domain names, including new top-level domains, Internationalized Domain Names and email addresses are treated equally and can be used by all Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems.
- Bhasha Net portal is such a step, aims to make .in (dot in) universally accepted domain. The Bhasha Netportal is developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing with support of the National Internet Exchange of India.
About electronics and IT ministry: Ashwini Vaishnaw serving as the Minister of Railways, Communications Minister and Electronics & Information Technology Minister member of the Rajya Sabha representing Odisha
Agreement News
CBI, Europol Sign Working Arrangement To Establish Cooperative Relations
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) on Thursday signed a Working Arrangement for establishing cooperative relations between the law enforcement authorities of these two organisations.
- The Working Arrangement was signed by CBI Director Praveen Sood and Executive Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle. The signing was concluded in a virtual event held today simultaneously in New Delhi and The Hague in presence of senior CBI and Europol officials.
- This arrangement promotes direct cooperation between both organizations to build on their respective mandates, strategies and to explore the potential for synergies.
- During the signing ceremony, Director, CBI expressed his appreciation for the collaborative spirit demonstrated by both parties.
- He said, this moment marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance cooperation between these two agencies
Central Bureau of investigation:
- Founded: 1 April 1963
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Agency executive: Praveen Sood, IPS, Director
NCC And NPCIL Ink A Deal To Raise Awareness On Peaceful Use Of Nuclear Power Through Various Programmes Pan India
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for Raise awareness on the peaceful use of nuclear power.
- Signing: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Director General NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh and Executive Director, Corporate Communication and Corporate Planning NPCIL BVS Shekhar in New Delhi.
- Initiatives: Various awareness programs nationwide to enhance public perceptions and disseminate authentic information.
- NPCIL’s role: Providing resource persons for field engagements, educating cadets during camps and activities.
- Cadets’ opportunities: Visit NPCIL facilities nationwide for first-hand experience on nuclear energy, technical, and technological aspects.
National cadet corps:
- Founded: 16 April 1948
- Founder: H. N. Kunzru
- Headquarters: New Delhi
Sports News
India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Clinches Men’s Singles Title At World Table Tennis Feeder Beirut Tournament In Lebanon
- In Table Tennis, India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran has clinched the Men’s Singles title at WTT Feeder Beirut tournament in Lebanon
- World Number 103 Sathiyan defeated compatriot and World Number 74 Manav Vikas Thakkar, victory over compatriot Manav Vikas Thakkar in the final yesterday.
- Earlier, Sathiyan overpowered World Number 39 Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-yuan in the semi-finals.
- However, Manav had a heartbreaking day as he missed out on any gold medal despite making it in all three finals.
- He lost 1-3 to a Cuban pair in the men’s doubles final, partnering Manush Utpal Shah. Earlier, he lost in the mixed doubles final to another Indian pair of Diya Chitale and Manush Shah.
Russian and Belarusian Athletes Will Not Allowed To Participate In Parade Of Nations At The Opening Ceremony Of Paris Games
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to participate in the parade of nations at the opening ceremony of the Paris Games.
- The IOC director James McLeod said, the athletes who will be competing in the Games under a neutral flag will not participate in the parade and teams during the opening ceremony since they are individual athletes.
- He said, a decision on whether they would participate in the closing ceremony had not yet been made.
International Olympic committee:
- Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin to revive ancient Olympics.
- Mission: Promote Olympism, excellence, friendship, respect, fair play, and ethics.
- Structure: Composed of members representing National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
- Members elected for eight-year terms by the IOC Session.
- Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Head: Thomas Bach
Summit News
Fourth Edition of SCO Startup Forum Promotes Innovation and Collaboration
- Event: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum’s fourth edition held in New Delhi on March 19, 2024.
- Focus: Facilitating startup interactions among SCO Member States, fostering innovation, job creation, and inspiring young talent.
- Participants: Physical presence of SCO Member States’ delegations, SCO startups, nodal agencies, senior government officials, and diplomats.
- Keynote Address: Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT, emphasized the pivotal role of the startup ecosystem in national economic growth.
- India’s Initiatives: Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary of DPIIT, outlined India’s startup journey and government initiatives for startup promotion.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Founded: 15 June 2001
- Founders: Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
- Head: Zhang Ming
Defence News
Second Edition of India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri-Lateral Exercise: INS Tir and INS Sujata Participation
- Exercise Details: IMT TRILAT Exercise’s second edition is scheduled from 21-29 Mar 24 involving INS Tir and INS Sujata.
- Previous Edition: First edition in Oct 22 featured INS Tarkash with Tanzanian and Mozambique Navies.
- Phases: Harbour phase (21-24 Mar 24) includes joint training activities, followed by sea phase (24-27 Mar 24) covering countering asymmetric threats, boat handling, and firing exercises.
- Objectives: Enhance maritime cooperation, conduct joint EEZ surveillance, and strengthen ties between India, Mozambique, and Tanzania navies.
Mozambique country:
- Capital: Maputo
- Currency: Mozambican metical
- Official language: Portuguese
- President: Filipe Nyusi
Maiden Test-Firing of India’s First Indigenous 1500 HP Engine for Main Battle Tanks in Mysuru
- Event: Maiden test-firing of India’s first indigenous 1500 HP engine for Main Battle Tanks conducted in Mysuru, Karnataka.
- Date: Held on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in indigenous defence manufacturing.
- Presiding Official: Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane oversaw the test-firing at BEML’s Engine division in Mysuru.
- Importance: Considered a transformative moment, enhancing India’s military capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
- Location: The test was conducted at BEML’s Engine division facility in Mysuru, Karnataka, highlighting indigenous manufacturing capabilities in the region.
Award News
Ratan Tata receives PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Philanthropy
- Ratan Tata was awarded the prestigious PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of philanthropy
- The award presentation took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra
About this award:
- The award was named after Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao the former prime minister of India
- It was given for the recognition of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to social welfare and humanitarian causes
Important days
International day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination
- The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination is annually observed across the globe on 21st March to create awareness about the challenges faced by people of African descent
- The day also offers a platform to promote a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination
- Theme: a decade of recognition, justice and development implementation of international decade for people of African descent
United nation:
- Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
- Subsidiaries: United Nations Security Council, UNESCO,
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
- António Guterres is the current Secretary-General of the United Nation
