Daily Current Affairs 22nd July 2023
National News
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between India and Japan to develop a semiconductor distribution system.
- The Government of India signed an MoU on July 20 with the Government of Japan to develop a semiconductor supply chain.
- Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said at the MoU in New Delhi that the MoU aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in equipment research, manufacturing, semiconductor design, capacity building and their delivery services.
The National Geoscience Awards – 2022 will be presented by the President of India in New Delhi.
- Draupadi Murmu (President of India) is scheduled to present the prestigious National Geoscience Awards for the year 2022 at the cultural center of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on July 24.
- It is notable that the “Union Ministry of Mines” presents these National Geoscience Awards in three categories every year. Established in 1966, the award is a prestigious award given to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and commitment to the field of geosciences.
The Central Government has introduced the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha.
- Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur introduced the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha on July 20.
- This bill is designed to prevent the problems of piracy in the film industry and to strengthen the film industry by providing some important measures to the film artists and the Union Minister said that this Bill will be an opportunity to further amend the Cinematograph Act of 1952.
India’s HAL and Argentina’s Ministry of Defense have signed a contract for helicopters.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL) signed a cooperation agreement with Argentina’s Ministry of Defense on July 20, to manufacture and procure light and medium utility helicopters for Argentina’s Central Armed Forces.
- The deal marks the Second South American country to have expressed interest in purchasing helicopters manufactured by HAL. It is notable that Ecuador Country has previously purchased seven Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv) from HAL.
International news
India introduces the UPI system in Sri Lanka.
- The National Payments Regulatory Authority of India has on July 21 entered into an agreement with Sri Lanka’s Lanka Pay to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system in Sri Lanka.
- It is also reported that this agreement has been made with the aim of increasing Fintech connectivity and further development of trade between the two countries.
The European Union (EU) has announced 7.6 million euros in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
- The European Union has approved a resolution to provide 7.6 million euros in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
- The European Union has announced that this grant has been announced to help the people of the country who are stuck in dangerous situations such as economic crisis, food insecurity and lack of political stability to overcome the situation and restore irrigation facilities and non-agricultural land in six provinces across the country.
State news
The G20’s “Science 20” summit has begun at the prestigious Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore.
- The Science 20 Summit under the leadership of G-20 by India began on July 20 at the prestigious Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore.
- A 2-day conference will be held from 20th and 21st July. The conference aims to discuss topics such as green energy, holistic health and how to connect science with the general public.
Odisha State Cabinet approves Khadag River Basin Project.
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 20 approved the Khadag River Basin Project, which will benefit the economy and quality of life of 20,000 people.
- The scheme is designed to benefit all the general public in the surrounding areas of three districts namely Kandhamal – Baliguda block, Boudh district block and Gudvela block of Balangir district.
- It is notable that Rs.126 crore has been allocated for this project.
Appointments
Mardell was appointed as Jaguar Land Rover CEO.
- Adrian Mardell was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of India’s renowned automaker Tata Motors, on July 20.
- Mardell, who became Chief Financial Officer in 2019, has now been named CEO. The company said that with this appointment, he will improve the company through his outstanding activities and he will hold this position for a period of three years.
Sundaram Ramesh appointed as CFO of Jet Airways.
- Jet Airways has appointed Sundaram Ramesh as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Gautam Acharya as director and Rajesh Prasad as non-executive director, it said in its announcement.
- The appointments have been approved by the airline’s “Monitoring and Nominating Committee” with effect from July 20. The company expressed its hope that through this appointment, he will address the many deficiencies in the company and ensure their improvement.
Science and Technology
ISRO wins the test of Gaganyaan Spacecraft’s “Service Module Propulsion System”.
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully tested the “Service Module Propulsion System” at ISRO Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
- The test used 16 Reactive Control System (RCS) thrusters with a thrust of 100 N and five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines with a thrust of 440 N, ISRO said in its notification.
- (Project Gaganyaan– India’s star project to send humans into space)
Book publication
A book titled “As the wheel turns” has been published by the former Vice President of India.
- Former Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled “As the wheel turns” on July 20.
- Speaking at the book launch event, Naidu said, “This book will be very useful for the young generation to learn about the uniqueness of the great people of India.”
Awards
Union Ministry of Coal has won the National Award for “Best Engagement”.
- The Union Ministry of Coal has recently been awarded by the Ministry of Commerce for its achievements in e-procurement through GeM in the category of “Best Engagement”.
- The reason for the awards is that coal public sector undertakings (PSUs) have shown unwavering confidence in GeM by issuing various tenders worth nearly Rs 21,500 crore in the financial year 2023-24.
- It is notable that the Coal India Corporation (CIL) which operates under it has been awarded the “Rising Star” and NLC India in the “Timely Payments” categories.
Economic News
HDFC Bank has emerged as the 2nd most valuable company in the country.
- HDFC Bank on July 20 overtook IT – Tata Consultancy Services to emerge as the country’s second most valuable company by “Market Capitalisation”.
- It is notable that HDFC Bank’s market capitalization (Rs. 12,72,718.60) has overtaken the BSE value (Rs. 12,66,891.65) of the most reputed company, TCS.
Important day
National Mango Day 2023
- National Mango Day is celebrated every year on 22nd July to celebrate not only the taste of mangoes, but also a deep cultural significance and their nobility, especially in Indian history and traditions.
- It is notable that this festival has been celebrated by mango enthusiasts across India since the declaration of the Indian “National Horticultural Board” in 1987. There is no theme for this day & It is notable that the national fruit of India is mango.
Pi Approximation Day 2023
- The π symbol was devised by the British mathematician William Jones in 1706. Pi Approximation Day is observed on July 22 (22/7 in fractions) to honor this scientific discovery.
- It is also notable that March 14 (the decimal value of pi (π) is 3.14) is observed as Pi Day all over the world.
