Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: February 07, 2023
Current affairs are included in significant government exams including the SSC, RRB NTPC, UPSC CDS, Railways, and more. The current events section of the test is given a higher weightage. This section’s preparatory phase is essential. How well-versed the candidate is in current affairs will determine whether or not they can pass this section. We have analysed the most current news from The Hindu, Indian Express, the Economic Times, and other sources to assist all the contenders in performing well in this part.
Current Affairs: International
UNESCO to Soon Declare Visva-Bharati World’s First Living Heritage University
Founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, Visva-Bharati University will soon get the ‘heritage’ tag from UNESCO to take the distinction of being the world’s first living heritage university.
About the University:
Visva-Bharati is a public central university and an Institution of National Importance located in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India.
When founded in 1921 on 1,130 acres of land, it was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until the Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organisation in May 1922. Rabindranath donated some of his property, including land and a bungalow, to the society.
Until Independence, it was a college, and the institution was given the status of a Central University in 1951 through a central Act.
Its first vice-chancellor was Rathindranath Tagore, the son of Rabindranath Tagore, and the second vice-chancellor was the grandfather of another Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen.
The President of India appoints the Vice-chancellor of the University.
Visva Bharati University is renowned for its cultural festivals called Poush Mela and the Basanta Utsab, which attract a number of artisans from all across the country.
About UNESCO:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, science and culture
India is a founding member of the UNESCO
Headquarters: Paris, France
Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
Question:
Visva-Bharati University will soon get the ‘heritage’ tag from UNESCO to take the distinction of being the world’s first living heritage university. This university is located in which of the following states?
A. Odisha
B. Assam
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. West Bengal
Answer: D
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: International
G. Kishan Reddy Launched the Visit India Year – 2023 Initiative
Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy recently launched the Visit India Year – 2023 initiative and also unveiled its logo in New Delhi, kicking off the year of grand plans and activities for promoting tourism in the country.
Details:
More than one lakh foreign delegates will visit India this year, and they will be showcased the entire gamut of India’s culture, including monuments and festivals.
Each foreign delegate of G20 will be a brand ambassador of India’s culture, heritage and tourist destinations.
The Ministry is coordinating with Indian missions and other stakeholders to have a conducive environment for foreign visitors this year.
About Logo:
To give a visual representation of this important mission for the year, the Ministry flags the global campaign with the launch of the new Visit India Year 2023 logo, a microcosm of the countless stories India holds – from heritage to gastronomy to our art and our rich wildlife.
The logo design is inspired by our belief system of Atithi Devo Bhava; the ‘Visit India Year 2023’ logo is a thoughtfully-designed visual identity that is shaped like a grand namaste.
Question:
Who among the following ministers recently launched the Visit India Year – 2023 initiative and unveiled its logo in New Delhi?
A. Nitin Gadkari
B. Rajnath Singh
C. Jitendra Singh
D. G Kishan Reddy
Answer: D
Current Affairs: National
Tihar jail to get an AI-Powered Surveillance System
Tihar jail is installing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras to monitor inmates and fight crime.
The premises will also have a real-time grievance redressal system and optical fibre network.
Tihar jail is the largest prison complex in South Asia.
About Reforms in Prison:
Installing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras to detect movements in “dark spots”
In dark spots of prison, even jammers that help block 3G and 4G mobile phone signals cannot penetrate
A real-time grievance redressal system that will operate like police control rooms (PCR) to address the problems of inmates in real-time
Biometric attendance system to help manage all records of Jail
Use of Technology in Prison Reforms:
Tracking Prisoners and monitoring the health of Prisoners
Improving the safety of staff and detainees
Streamlining criminal justice systems
Digital skills training
Access to services and rehabilitation opportunities
Question:
Which of the following Jails in India is installing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras to monitor inmates and fight crime?
A. Naini Central Prison
B. Yerwada Central Jail
C. Tihar Jail
D. Rajahmundry Central Prison
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Technology and Culture
Project ELLORA of Microsoft Research Helps Enabling Low Resource Languages
Microsoft researchers are working on a project that has been working toward creating digital ecosystems for Indian languages that do not have enough presence online,
The main goal of the Project is to impact underserved communities by enabling language technology by creating economic opportunities, building technological skills, enhancing education and preserving local languages and cultures for future generations.
Details:
The project aims to bring ‘rare’ Indian languages online
It is also known as Enabling Low Resource Languages, launched in 2015
It is a digital resource for Indian languages that do not have enough presence online
Some of the languages it is researching include Gondi, Mundari, and Idu Mishmi
About the Languages:
Gondi:
It is a South-Central Dravidian language spoken by the Gond tribes
It is spoken in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
It is written in Devanagari and Telugu scripts
Mundari:
It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family spoken by the Munda tribes
It is spoken in Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal
Scripts: Mundari bani
It is written in the Devanagari, Odia, Bengali, and Latin writing systems
Idu Mishmi:
It is spoken in Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
It uses the Tibetan script and Idu Azobra script
It is also known as Sulikata, Midu, Mindri and Mithu
Question:
What is the name of the project on which Microsoft researchers are working that aims to create digital ecosystems for Indian languages that do not have enough presence online?
A. Project Bhasha
B. Project Ajanta
C. Project Ashtadhyayi
D. Project Ellora
Answer: D
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: Art and Culture
Vice President Inaugurates the 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, recently inaugurated the 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Faridabad, Haryana.
On this occasion, he urged everyone to consider locally produced handicraft items when looking for gifts for their friends and relatives.
He underscored that such an approach would not only help in the conservation of many unique art forms but also enhance the economic condition of our talented artisans and craftsmen.
About Surajkund Mela:
This fair is held every year in the month of February, organised by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.
The aim is to promote the pool of skilled artisans who used indigenous technology but were suffering due to the cheaper machine-made imitations.
Theme:
The North Eastern Region (NER) is the Theme State for the year 2023 as the NER is a very important stakeholder in India’s Look-East and Act-East Policy.
Facts:
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is participating as a partner nation, which includes India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In 1987, the idea was implemented to transform the canvas of Surajkund and the seat of the 10th century Tomar chieftain, Surajpal, into a marvellous venue for India’s finest handloom and handicrafts fair.
In 2013, the Mela was elevated to the international level. Gradually, more and more countries participated in this fair.
Question:
Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar recently inaugurated the 36th Surajkund International mela at Faridabad, Haryana. This Mela is majorly famous for
A. Arts and Crafts
B. Animals
C. Religious worships
D. Books
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Defence
Indian Army Launches ‘Operation Sadbhavana’
The Indian Army is organising multiple welfare activities, such as running schools and infrastructure development projects, as part of “Operation Sadbhavana” in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The activities are aimed at helping children living in remote areas of Ladakh.
Details:
As part of ‘Operation SADBHAVANA’, the Indian Army is undertaking multiple welfare activities such as Army Goodwill Schools, Infra-development projects, education tours, etc., for the children living in remote areas of UT of Ladakh.
The Indian Army is presently running seven Army Goodwill Schools under ‘Operation SADBHAVANA’ in Ladakh Region. More than 2,200 Students are currently studying in these schools.
Operation SADBHAVANA (Goodwill) is a unique humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army and formalised in the 1990s in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to address the aspirations of people affected by scrooge of terrorism.
A total of ₹8.82 crore has been earmarked for Ladakh, and the funds are being used for human resources, skill development, sports, healthcare, and education, among others.
Question:
The Indian Army is organising multiple welfare activities under Operation Sadbhavana in which of the following states/UT?
A. Jammu and Kashmir
B. Assam
C. Ladakh
D. Rajasthan
Answer: C
FactBook- 06-02-2023
UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum renames Al Minhad as ‘Hind City’
The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum renamed the Al Minhad area and its surrounding areas as ‘Hind City’ recently.
The city includes four zones – Hind 1, Hind 2, Hind 3, and Hind 4, spread over an area of 83.9 km.
Hind City is connected via key roadways such as Emirates Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, and Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road.
Earlier in 2010, Burj Dubai was renamed Burj Khalifa after Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi then.
Mohammed became vice president and ruler when his brother Maktoum passed away in 2006.
Saudi Arabia to Host Football’s 2027 Asian Cup
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of football’s 2027 Asian Cup recently, an expected prelude for a World Cup bid as the oil-rich kingdom spends big on sports in an attempt to improve its image.
Teams are carefully chosen based on their skills and several other selection criteria. Teams are chosen by the AFC. The host of the tournament is selected through a bidding process. The 2023 host is Qatar. This was decided long back. Recently, the 2027 host was selected and it is Saudi Arabia.
Other countries that placed bids which are in the bid are India, Iran, Qatar, and Uzbekistan
Asian Cup Football Tournament 2027
Slogan: Forward for Asia
Host cities: Dammam, Riyadh, and Jeddah
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
It will involve 24 national teams after expansion in 2019, with Qatar as the defending champions.
Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), the premier CPSE under the Ministry of Coal, has introduced drone technology in coal mines by launching a web-based portal VIHANGAM along with a drone and ground control system.
There is a control station that flies the drone, and the system can be operated through the portal from anywhere. This pilot project is currently operational at the Bhubaneswari and Lingraj opencast mines of Talcher Coalfields.
In 2021, the Aviation Ministry permitted the CMPDI (Central Mine Planning and Design Institute) to use drone technology in the coal fields of India.
Apart from drone technology, the MCL also introduced a Robotic Nozzle Water Sprayer.
The robot is used in dust suppression and fire fighting. The robot can reach heights of 70 metres and spray water in the form of mist. It also has a rotating nozzle. Its tank capacity is 28 kilolitres.
Supreme Court Celebrated its Foundation Day for the First Time
The Supreme Court of India celebrated its foundation day for the first time on 4th February 2023.
Chief Justice of Singapore, Justice Sundaresh Menon, has been invited as the chief guest for the event and delivered a lecture on ‘Role of Judiciary in a Changing World’.
The programme, which is to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Court of India, will feature a welcome address by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and an address by CJI DY Chandrachud as well.
Justice Sundaresh Menon SC is a Singaporean judge who has been serving as the fourth Chief Justice of Singapore since 2012. Justice Menon is the first Singapore-born Chief Justice of Singapore.
The Supreme Court came into existence on 28th January 1950, two days after India became a republic on 26th January.
Azad Engineering Is India’s First Supplier of Parts for Nuclear Turbines
Azad Engineering Private Limited, a market leader in engineering with its headquarters in Hyderabad, has been approved as the first Indian business to provide crucial rotating parts for nuclear turbines.
The company has delivered its first set of critical parts.
These will be assembled on nuclear turbines manufactured in Belfort, France.
Azad Engineering, an end-to-end solution provider, noted that it expects to deepen its relationship as a preferred partner and continue to enjoy the flagship position with a new facility coming up over the next 18-24 months.
Powerful Earthquake Hits Southeast Turkey and Syria Today
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey and Syria early Monday, 6th February, toppling buildings and sending panicked residents pouring outside on a cold winter night.
At least 195 people were killed in both countries, hundreds were injured, and the toll was expected to rise.
Rescue workers and residents frantically searched for survivors under the rubble of crushed buildings in multiple cities on both sides of the border.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centred about 33 kilometres (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital.
It was centred 18 kilometres (11 miles) deep, and a strong 6.7 aftershock rumbled about 10 minutes later.
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