Daily Current Affairs 20th August 2023
National News
An MoU has been entered into between the Government of Rajasthan and NLC for supply of 300 MW of solar power.
- Central state-owned NLC India has on August 18 announced a joint venture agreement with the Rajasthan government’s Urja Vikas Nigam (RUVNL) to supply nearly 300 MW of solar power under the CPSU scheme.
- NLC said that the agreement has been entered into with the primary objective of providing solar power for the next 25 years in the capital of the state, Jaipur. It is noteworthy that this is the first time that NLCIL has expanded this capacity outside Tamil Nadu and so far it has included a 1.40 GW capacity in the southern state.
International news
The UAE and Ethiopia have entered into various development MoUs to boost the economies of both countries.
- The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, on August 18 signed various memorandums of understanding for the development of several institutions between the two countries.
- It is significant that these MoUs have been entered into with the aim of promoting economic development and cooperation between the two countries and fostering corporate partnerships.
The official website for the International Conference on Fishing Communities around the World 2023 has been launched.
- The International Conference on Fishing Communities Around the World 2023 (ICFC 2023) is scheduled to be held from September 19 to September 21 at the massive Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) in South Korea.
- The Maidan is planned to bring together union representatives of fishing communities from around the world and from different countries to address challenges, issues, transboundary fisheries disputes and develop cooperative solutions.
State news
The G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Conference is scheduled to be held in Jaipur.
- The G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Conference under Indian leadership is scheduled to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan on August 24. It is a two-day conference to be held on 24th and 25th August.
- It is notable that this conference is being held with the theme of discussion on implementation of trade action plans presented by the President of India and building consensus on various issues related to global trade and investment.
Project for implementation of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Road Development Project in Maharashtra State.
- Maharashtra State Cabinet on 18th August 2023 announced the implementation of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Road Development Scheme to improve road connectivity in tribal areas in 17 districts of the state.
- According to the state government, the scheme is designed to connect the remote rural and hill tribal areas of the state with major roads.
Appointments
Vishvas Vidu Sapkal has been appointed as the Ambassador of India to Bolivia.
- India’s ambassador to Peru, Vishvas Vidu Sapkal, has been appointed as ambassador to Bolivia, according to a notification issued in August.
- It is notable that in November 2015 at the Indo-African Summit held in New Delhi, he made special efforts to improve the strategic relations between the two countries.
Appointment of Neil Rippington as Director, Global IIHM Group.
- International restaurant management firm IIHM has appointed Neil Rippington as global director to its leadership team, according to its latest announcement.
- A renowned chef and culinary educator, he is said to enhance the company through his consistent efforts and activities. It is notable that he has won various awards for his global culinary and hospitality industry experience and mastery of raw material techniques.
Awards
Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain has been conferred with the Leadership CFO Award.
- Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain has been conferred with the Best Leadership CFO Award at the 14th edition of CMO Asia Awards at an award ceremony held in Singapore on August 17, 2023.
- It is significant that this award is given in recognition of his commendable leadership skills, strong skills in financial operations and unwavering commitment to the development of the company as the CFO of GAIL.
THDC has been awarded ‘NTPC Rajbhasha Shield Award 2023’.
- In its August 2023 announcement, THDC India has received the prestigious ‘NTPC Rajbasha Shield (Consolation) Award for the year 2022 and 2023.
- RK Vishnoi, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of THDC received this prestigious award. It is also notable that the award has been presented by the Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Power RK Singh.
Businessman Ratan Tata has been conferred with Maharashtra prestigious ‘Udyog Ratna’ award.
- Senior industrialist and Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata was conferred with Maharashtra State Government’s first ‘Udyog Ratna’ award by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on August 19 for his distinguished contribution to India’s industrial sector.
- Notably, Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis presented the prestigious award along with a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, its commemorative medal and certificate of appreciation to Ratan Tata at his residence in Colaba, Mumbai.
Sports news
India mixed air pistol team has won gold at the 2023 ISSF World Championships.
- Team India defeated Turkey to win gold in the 10m air pistol mixed event at the 2023 ISSF World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan on August 18.
- It is notable that the Indian pair of shooters Shiva Narwal and Isha Singh defeated the Turkish team by 16-10 to win the medal. India is second in the ranking list while China’s team is at the top with five gold and other medals.
Rana Pratap has won gold in the 2023 National Junior Aquatic Championship.
- Rana Pratap bagged Jharkhand’s first individual gold medal at the 39th Sub Junior and 49th National Junior Aquatic Championships 2023 in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar.
- It is also notable that he set a new national record of 2:21.88 minutes in the Division I Men’s 200m category with sensational swimming skills.
Important day
World Mosquito Day 2023
- August 20 is observed every year as “World Mosquito Day” to commemorate British physician Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that “Female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans”.
- There is no theme for this year. It is observed on this day for the purpose of creating awareness among the people of the world about the ways to protect ourselves from these diseases that can cause serious danger like malaria.
Akshay Urja Diwas 2023
- Akshay Urja Day is observed on 20th August every year with an aim to create awareness about the developments of renewable energy in India and confirm its major development projects among the general public.
- The day has been observed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy since 2004 and it is significant that the day commemorates the birthday of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
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