Daily Current Affairs Highlights | 7 September 2023

Hello readers! Here we are, bringing you the most recent current affairs from around the nation and the world on the 7th of September, 2023. From national developments to international collaborations, we have covered it all for you. Let's dive right in!

National Affairs

IREDA Collaborates with UBI and BoB for Renewable Energy Projects

On the 5th of September 2023, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Union Bank of India (UBI) and Bank of Baroda (BoB). These agreements will facilitate IREDA in loan syndication and co-lending for various renewable energy projects, promoting both established and emerging renewable energy technologies. IREDA operates under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) as a Mini Ratna (Category- I) Central Public Sector Enterprise.

Education Minister Launches Malaviya Mission and Collaborates with Adobe

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), launched the Malaviya Mission – Teachers Training Programme by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on National Teachers’ Day, 5th September 2023. The event, held at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, also saw the inauguration of the programme's portal (https://mmc.ugc.ac.in/) and the release of its information brochure. Furthermore, an MoU was signed with Adobe to foster learning in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for children, encouraging creativity and collaboration in classrooms through the Adobe Express application.

Ministry of Tourism and UNWTO Unveil G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard

In a virtual ceremony on 5th September 2023, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), unveiled the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard. This initiative, led by Union Minister Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, aims to track the progress of the G20 Tourism Working Group.

India's First Solar City Inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Sanchi, a city in the Raisen district, as India's first Solar City, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing a solar city in every state by 2070. The city houses solar plants of 3 MW and 5 MW capacities, catering to the electrical and agricultural needs of the region. An additional 8 MW grid-connected solar plant is under construction, with the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited acting as the project's nodal agency.

International Affairs

2nd Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival Concludes in Nepal

The 2nd edition of the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival was held from 1st to 3rd September 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal. This event, inaugurated by Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, served as a platform for the exchange of South Asian culture through various literary and cultural activities. Artists and writers from countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka showcased their works in literature, music, dance, poetry, and other mediums. The festival, themed "Shakti, Bhakti, Civilizational connection: Nepal as centre of Global Thought", also saw the presentation of the inaugural 'Yashaswi Book Prize' and 'Yashaswi Sahitya Samman' awards to various artists and writers.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Introduces New Savings Plan

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited introduced a new savings plan named 'Bajaj Allianz Life ACE'. This non-linked, participating, individual life insurance savings plan offers customers greater flexibility in designing cash flows according to their financial needs, a departure from traditional savings products.

SBI and PNB Enhance Digital Currency Accessibility

The State Bank of India (SBI) introduced UPI interoperability for its Digital Rupee (eRupee), also known as the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), enhancing accessibility and convenience for customers. Similarly, Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched CBDC and UPI interoperability in its PNB Digital Rupee App, allowing users to make purchases even without a CBDC Wallet.

Hitachi Payment Services Launches India's First White Label UPI-ATM

In collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Hitachi Payment Services Private Ltd launched India's first-ever UPI-Automated Teller Machine as a White Label ATM. This initiative aims to improve customer security by eliminating the need for physical cards, merging the convenience and security of UPI with traditional ATMs.

Awards & Recognitions

Vijayawada Railway Station Achieves Green Certification

The Vijayawada Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh received the 'Green Railway Station Certification' with the highest Platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council-Confederation of Indian Industry (IGBC-CII). This achievement marks the station as the second under the South Central Railway Zone to receive a Platinum rating.

Science & Technology

Grene Robotics Unveils India's First AI-Enabled Counter Drone

In a significant leap in technology, Hyderabad-based Grene Robotics, in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), launched 'Indrajaal'. This innovation marks India's first and only counter-drone system that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to counter drone threats. The unveiling ceremony was graced by the presence of Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, the Governor of Uttarakhand.

Sports

Indian Men's Team Secures Bronze at IITF Asian Table Tennis Championship 2023

In the sports arena, the Indian men's team clinched the bronze medal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023. The team, consisting of Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Harmeet Desai, showcased a stellar performance. This championship, marking its 26th edition, also serves as a qualification tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite a loss to the South Korean team, the Indian team secured a bronze, continuing their medal streak from the 2021 championship held in Doha, Qatar.

State News

Andhra Pradesh Focuses on Micro Food Processing Units

In a bid to foster the growth of the food processing industry in Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI). This collaboration aims to establish and upgrade at least 7,500 micro-food processing units in the state during the fiscal year 2023-24, under the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

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