1 April 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 1 April 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

So, here is the Top News of the Day for 1 April 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 1 April 2023

Niyogi Books released a new book ‘Why can’t Elephants be Red?’

Niyogi Books released a new book ‘Why can’t Elephants be Red?’: Vani Tripathi Tikoo, an actor and member of India’s censor board, has published her first children’s book, “Why Can’t Elephants Be Red??” Niyogi Books published the book. The book is about a two-and-a-half-year-old girl named Akku who is imaginative, adventurous, and growing up in Gurgaon and Singapore.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Akku is inspired by her experiences, such as playing with her pets, swimming, and trying new foods. She enjoys drawing and coloring, and her imagination runs wild with colorful elephants, mustached crabs, and hornless unicorns. The story concludes with Akku’s most exciting adventure yet: her first day of school. The author, who is also a practitioner of GRIPS Theatre in Berlin, aims to showcase the resilience and subliminal world of children, drawing from her work in theater and education. The book is illustrated and aimed at children.

51-year old Elon Musk becomes most followed Twitter user

Elon Musk becomes most followed Twitter user: Elon Musk, Twitter’s CEO, now has the most followers on the platform, surpassing former US President Barack Obama, who held the record since 2020.  According to Guinness World Records, Twitter has around 450 million monthly active users, and Elon Musk has accumulated more than 133 million followers, which accounts for about 30% of the platform’s total users. Musk took over as CEO of Twitter on October 27, 2022, with 110 million followers, and within five months, he had 133 million. Previously, he ranked third after Barack Obama and Justin Bieber in terms of the most followed Twitter users.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Social Blade’s statistics tracker reports that over the past 30 days, Barack Obama has lost 267,585 followers, and Justin Bieber has lost 118,950, while Elon Musk has gained more than 3 million followers, with an average of over 100,000 new followers per day.

Twitter accounts:

• • Twitter accounts are now verified and labelled with different coloured checkmarks: gold check for companies, grey check for government, and blue check for individuals, whether celebrities or not. All verified accounts will undergo a manual authentication process before the checkmark is activated.
• The blue verification mark is now exclusively available to Twitter Blue subscribers. In India, this subscription can be accessed for a monthly fee of ₹650 on the web and ₹900 on mobile devices.

A book titled “War & Women” written by Dr MA Hasan released

A book titled “War & Women” written by Dr MA Hasan released: A book titled “War and Women” was launched at the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The author, Dr M A Hasan, presented the book, which highlights the suffering of Bengali women who were victims of sexual violence perpetrated by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 war. The event was organised in Europe by the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Sansad and was regarded as a significant moment for raising awareness about the issue.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Dr. M A Hasan’s book documents the scale of torture and killings carried out by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The book launch was attended by Freedom Fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War and representatives from international NGOs, who heard about the atrocities committed during the war. Tazul Islam described the events as genocide and urged the UN Human Rights Council to take action against Pakistan. Around 30 people attended the book launch at the Serpentine Cafeteria inside the UN building. Dr. Hasan presented a video from Dhaka, explaining the reality of the abuse committed by Pakistani soldiers. Lamino, a human rights defender from Geneva, also spoke at the event, urging the Human Rights Council to take action against those responsible for the genocide.

India launches space sector design lab for start-ups

Introduction: India establishes new design lab for space start-ups: India has established a new design lab in Ahmedabad that aims to facilitate space sector start-ups in converting their inventive concepts into practical models at a faster pace. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre’s (IN-SPACe) Space Systems Design Lab has advanced analysis and simulation software, including mission simulation, spacecraft and payload modelling and optimisation, and ground station and launch vehicle avionics. According to Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, the lab’s resources will help start-ups to build prototypes with fewer iterations, resulting in significant cost savings on research and development.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Boosting non-governmental entities’ role in the space sector

The ISRO Chairman S Somanath inaugurated the Space Systems Design Lab in Ahmedabad, which is expected to strengthen the role of non-government entities (NGEs) in developing cutting-edge space technologies. Somanath believes that such facilities will help increase the scale of the space economy from the present two percent to ten percent of the global economy. He expressed ISRO’s commitment to working with NGEs in achieving this objective. The lab has 16 workstations as well as high-performance computing multi-core servers (up to 400 cores) and a variety of software resources for mission planning, RF design, and thermal design and analysis of space systems.

Seed fund scheme for early-stage space start-ups

IN-SPACe will provide practical training and workshops to non-government entities to use these software packages through the space systems design lab. The lab’s goal is to help space start-ups convert their innovative ideas into onboard implementable modules. By using the lab, start-ups can visualize and validate their designs before the actual production phase, reducing their turnaround time and research costs. IN-SPACe previously announced a Rs 1 crore seed fund scheme to assist early-stage space start-ups that use space technology to address the sector’s upstream, midstream, and downstream challenges.

Hitachi Payment Services named Sumil Vikamsey as MD

Hitachi Payment Services named Sumil Vikamsey as MD: Sumil Vikamsey, the current CEO of Hitachi Payment Services’ Cash Business, has been named the company’s new Managing Director. He will take over from Rustom Irani, who is retiring on March 30 after being associated with the organisation since 2011. Vikamsey will also be inducted into the company’s board from April 1, 2023. Vikamsey has been responsible for a variety of functions at Hitachi Payment Services, including finance, strategy, development, analytics, a white-label ATM programme, and allied business domains. Irani will remain involved with the company as an advisor.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

About the Hitachi Payments:

Hitachi Payments, which has been in operation for 15 years, offers a complete range of payment solutions that cover various stages of payment processes. ATM services, cash recycling machines, white-label ATMs, POS solutions, toll and transit solutions, payment gateway solutions, and SoftPOS, POS value-added services, and digital merchant onboarding are among them. The company manages over 20 lakh PoS devices, including Mobile POS and QR, 64,500 ATMs (including 27,500 cash recycling machines), and 8,750 white-label ATMs. The Reserve Bank of India recently granted the company in-principle approval to launch its payment aggregator business. Furthermore, Hitachi Payments has established its first in-house cash management unit in Noida.

Runner Lashinda Demus Awarded Olympic Gold Medal Over A Decade Later

Background: Stripping of Antyukh’s Gold Medal: Lashinda Demus, a US runner, has won an Olympic gold medal at the age of 40, more than a decade after the 2012 London Games. This came after the International Olympic Committee stripped Natalya Antyukh, the original gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles, of her title due to her involvement in the Russian doping scandal. Antyukh had beaten Demus on the London track by 0.07 seconds, but historical evidence recovered from a Moscow testing laboratory database allowed the Athletics Integrity Unit to disqualify Antyukh’s results from July 2012 to June 2013.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Demus Denied the Commercial Benefits of Being an Olympic Champion

Demus, who had previously won a world title in 2011, was denied the commercial benefits of calling herself an Olympic champion during her career. The IOC has awarded her a gold medal, while Zuzana Hejnová of Czechia was upgraded to silver and Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica was awarded bronze.

Demus Finally Receives Recognition as Olympic Champion

The decision to strip Antyukh of her gold medal was made five months ago when she was already serving a four-year ban for a previous case that disqualified all her results from 2013 to 2015. With this ruling, Demus finally gets the recognition she deserves as an Olympic champion, despite the years that have passed since her impressive performance on the London track.

Hero Motocorp Board appoints Niranjan Gupta as CEO

Hero Motocorp Board appoints Niranjan Gupta as CEO: The Board of Directors of Hero MotoCorp announced the appointment of Niranjan Gupta as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 1. Gupta, who is currently the CFO and Head of Strategy and M&A, will be promoted to the new position. Meanwhile, Pawan Munjal will remain the Executive Chairman and Whole-time Director on the Board.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Niranjan Gupta has been instrumental in ensuring the financial stability of Hero MotoCorp amidst a highly competitive and ever-changing business landscape. His efforts have also helped the company form crucial partnerships with global brands like Harley Davidson and Zero Motorcycles. Gupta has over 25 years of leadership experience in a variety of industries, including consumer goods, metals and mining, and automobiles, as well as expertise in finance, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, and strategy. Apart from his role in Hero MotoCorp, he also serves as a board member for Ather Energy, HMC MM Auto Private Limited, and HMCL Colombia. Prior to joining Hero MotoCorp, Gupta spent 20 years at Unilever in various global roles and three years at Vedanta Limited.

About the Hero MotoCorp:

Hero MotoCorp is an Indian multinational motorcycle and scooter manufacturer based in New Delhi, India. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers and is part of the Hero Group, which has diversified businesses ranging from financial services to renewable energy. Hero MotoCorp was established in 1984 as a partnership between Hero Cycles and Honda Motor Company of Japan. The company began manufacturing motorcycles in 1985 and has since grown to become one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in India and around the world.

Hero MotoCorp’s product portfolio includes a wide range of motorcycles and scooters, ranging from entry-level commuter bikes to high-performance sports bikes. With the launch of the Hero Electric range of electric scooters, the company has also expanded into the electric vehicle segment. Hero MotoCorp has a strong presence in India and exports its products to over 40 countries around the world. The company has manufacturing facilities in India, Bangladesh, and Colombia, and has plans to expand into other markets in the future. Hero MotoCorp has also been recognised for its dedication to sustainability and for implementing numerous initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint.

Odisha Day or Utkal Divas is celebrated on 1st April 2023

Odisha Day or Utkal Divas 2023: Odisha Day, also known as Utkal Divas, is a significant day for the people of Odisha, India, as it commemorates the state’s formation on April 1, 1936. Every year on this day, the state celebrates with cultural programs, parades, and flag hoisting ceremonies. Community leaders and politicians deliver speeches highlighting the achievements and history of the state. This event provides the opportunity for the people of Odisha to come together and celebrate their cultural heritage and progress made by the state. Odisha, also known as the Land of Lord Jagannath, attracts tourists with its scenic seas and ancient temples such as the Jagannath Puri Temple and the Sun Temple of Konark. This year, on April 1, Odisha will celebrate its 88th foundation day.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

History of Odisha

• Odisha, also known as Orissa, is an eastern Indian state with a long history dating back to antiquity. The earliest evidence of human habitation in the region dates back to the Stone Age, with archaeological sites such as Golbai Sasan providing evidence of early settlements.
• The region was ruled by the powerful emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE, who is known for his conversion to Buddhism and role in spreading the religion across the Indian subcontinent. Following the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the region came under the control of various dynasties, including the Satavahanas, the Ikshvakus, and the Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty.
• During the medieval period, Odisha was ruled by various Hindu dynasties, including the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which oversaw a period of cultural and artistic development. The state was also an important hub for the spread of the Bhakti movement, with saints like Jayadeva and Ramanuja helping to shape the tradition.
• In the 16th century, Odisha came under the control of the Mughal Empire, and later the British East India Company. The state was instrumental in the Indian independence movement, with leaders such as Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, and Biju Patnaik contributing to the cause.
• After India gained independence in 1947, Odisha became a state on April 1, 1936, and has since emerged as a center for industry, agriculture, and tourism. The state has a rich cultural heritage, with a vibrant arts and crafts tradition, ancient temples, and festivals such as the Rath Yatra in Puri attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Here are some important dates in the history of Odisha:

• 261 BCE: Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Emperor, conquered the region and established a government in Tosali.
• 3rd century CE: The Kalinga War between the Mauryan Empire and the Kalinga kingdom, which is modern-day Odisha.
• 6th century CE: The Eastern Ganga dynasty established its rule over Odisha, which lasted until the 15th century.
• 13th century CE: The construction of the Sun Temple in Konark.
• 16th century CE: Odisha came under the rule of the Mughal Empire.
• 1803 CE: The British East India Company took control of Odisha after defeating the Marathas.
• 1827 CE: Establishment of the Orissa Medical School, which is now known as the SCB Medical College and Hospital.
• 1876 CE: Formation of the Utkal Sabha, a political organization that fought for the rights of Odia people.
• 1936 CE: Odisha became a separate state on April 1, with the passing of the Government of India Act, 1935.
• 1950 CE: The Jagannath Temple Act was passed, which gave control of the temple to the state government.
• 2019 CE: The Indian government declared Odisha as the first “open defecation free” state in the country.

Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval

Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval: The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, has announced that Finland has become the alliance’s 31st member, thanks to Turkey’s unanimous vote. Despite Russia’s opposition to Finland’s membership, Turkey’s approval allowed NATO to be expanded.  Finland shares a long border of over 1,300 kilometers with Russia, and its decision to join NATO was prompted by security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden’s application to join NATO has been declined by Turkey and Hungary.

March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

For many years, some have argued that Finland’s membership in NATO would help to strengthen its defence capabilities, while others have expressed concerns about potential tensions with neighbouring Russia.  With Finland’s membership, NATO now includes most of the countries in Europe and North America.

What is NATO and its History?

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949. It was formed as a collective defense pact between North American and European nations to deter Soviet expansion and protect member states from potential Soviet aggression during the Cold War.

NATO was founded by the United States, Canada, and ten European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Since then, the alliance has grown to include 31 countries. The organization operates on the principle of collective defense, with members agreeing to mutual defense in response to an attack by an external party. NATO also engages in crisis management, conflict prevention, and peacekeeping operations around the world.

To become a member of NATO, a country must meet the following criteria:

• Political and economic stability: A stable democratic government, a functioning market economy, and a track record of respecting human rights and the rule of law are all required.
• Military readiness: The country must have a capable and well-trained military that can contribute to the collective defense of the alliance. This includes a commitment to investing in defense and maintaining modern equipment.
• Commitment to collective defense: The country must be willing and able to contribute to the collective defense of the alliance, including by supporting other member countries in times of need.
• Compatibility with NATO values: The country must share the values of the alliance, including a commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.
• Geographic proximity: While not an official requirement, NATO tends to give preference to countries that are in close geographic proximity to existing members, as this makes it easier to coordinate and deploy forces in times of crisis.

Haryana becomes first state in India to have 100% electrified railway network

Haryana becomes first state in India to have 100% electrified railway network: The railway network in the Indian state of Haryana was completely electrified by Indian Railways in March 2023, making it the first state in the country to achieve this feat.

April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Haryana: 100% Electrified Railway Network:

• The existing Broad Gauge network of Haryana is 1,701 Route kilometre, which is now 100% electrified, resulting in saving on account of reduced line haul cost (about 2.5 times lower), heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating & maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.
• In addition, a new Broad Gauge network will be sanctioned alongside electrification, in accordance with the Railways’ policy of a 100% electrified network.

Indian Railways: 100% electrification of its broad-gauge routes by December 2023:

As per the latest updates, the Broad Gauge routes of seven zonal railways in India have achieved the 100% electrification target.

East Coast Railway (ECoR), North Central Railway (NCR), North Eastern Railway (NER), Eastern Railway (ER), South Eastern Railway (SER), West Central Railway (WCR), and Central Railway are the railways involved (CR).

This achievement is a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation in the country.

The Indian Railways has set a target to achieve 100% electrification of its broad-gauge routes by December 2023, and this milestone achieved by these seven zonal railways is a significant step towards achieving this goal.