15 August 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 15 August 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 15 August 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 – 15 August 2023

First space-based Indian observatory Aditya-L1, is ready for launch

The first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun – Aditya-L1, is getting ready for its launch in September 2023.

Earlier, ISRO Chairman S Somanath shared an update on 28 June revealing that the organisation is targeting the end of August for Aditya-L1’s launch. An exact date regarding the launch of the project is, however, yet to be announced.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

The spacecraft is expected to be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point – L1 of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million Km from the Earth and has advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any eclipses. 

This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real-time.

77th Indian Independence Day 2023: Date, Celebrations, Theme and History

77th Indian Independence Day 2023

On August 15, 2023, India will celebrate its 77th Independence Day. “Nation First, Always First” is the theme of this year’s festival. This theme is in line with the government’s focus on national unity and development. The day begin with the hoisting of the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi by the Prime Minister. This followed by a military parade and a cultural program. There will also be flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs all over the country.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

The 77th Independence Day is a significant milestone for India. It is a time to reflect on the country’s journey since independence and to recommit to the values of freedom, democracy, and equality. It is also a time to celebrate the diversity and unity of the Indian nation.

Here are some of the events that will be held on 77th Indian Independence Day:

• The Prime Minister will hoist the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.
• There will be a military parade at Rajpath in New Delhi.
• There will be cultural programs at various places across the country.
• The government will release a commemorative postage stamp and coin.
• There will be special prayers and religious ceremonies in temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras.
• People will gather in public places to celebrate the occasion.

Celebrations of Independence Day 2023

Independence Day is a time to celebrate the freedom and unity of India. It is also a time to remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who fought for India’s independence.

• Flag hoisting ceremonies: On August 14-15, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi at midnight. This is followed by flag hoisting ceremonies all over the country, in schools, colleges, government offices, and public places.
• Military parades: There is a military parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, which is attended by the President, Prime Minister, and other dignitaries. The parade showcases the might of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Cultural programs: There are cultural programs held at various places across the country, showcasing the rich culture and heritage of India. These programs feature music, dance, and drama.
• Commemorative events: The government releases a commemorative postage stamp and coin on Independence Day. There are also special prayers and religious ceremonies in temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras.
• Public gatherings: People gather in public places to celebrate the occasion. They sing patriotic songs, dance, and distribute sweets.

History of Independence Day 2023

The origins of Indian Independence Day may be traced back to the early nineteenth century, when the Indian independence movement gained traction. A number of important personalities led the movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose.

• The movement was met with much resistance from the British, who ruled India at the time. However, the movement continued to grow in strength, and eventually led to India’s independence on August 15, 1947.
• The date of August 15 was chosen as Independence Day because it was the day that the Indian Independence Act of 1947 came into effect. This act transferred power from the British to the Indian government.
• The first Independence Day celebration was held in 1947. The Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. He gave a speech in which he outlined the challenges that India faced as an independent nation.
• Independence Day is a national holiday in India. It is a day to celebrate the freedom and unity of India. It is also a time to remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who fought for India’s independence.

Here are some of the key events that led to India’s independence:

India’s independence was a major achievement for the Indian people. It was the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice. It is a day to commemorate India’s freedom and unity, as well as the sacrifices of freedom fighters who battled for India’s independence.

• 1857: The Indian Rebellion, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion was suppressed by the British, but it helped to raise awareness of the growing Indian independence movement.
• 1885: The Indian National Congress was founded. The Congress was a political party that advocated for Indian independence.
• 1905: The Partition of Bengal was a plan by the British to divide the province of Bengal into two parts, one Hindu-majority and one Muslim-majority. The partition was met with widespread protests, and it helped to further divide the Indian independence movement.
• 1920: Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement. The movement was a major turning point in the Indian independence movement. It was based on the principle of nonviolent resistance, and it helped to mobilize millions of Indians against British rule.
• 1930: Mahatma Gandhi launched the Salt March. The Salt March was a major protest against the British salt monopoly. It helped to further popularize the Indian independence movement.
• 1942: The Quit India Movement was launched by the Indian National Congress. The movement called for the British to immediately quit India. It was met with widespread protests, and it led to the imprisonment of many Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi.
• 1947: India obtained independence from the United Kingdom. The partition of India into two countries, India and Pakistan, heralded the country’s independence. The partition was a bloody and chaotic process, and it led to the deaths of millions of people.

Bank of Maharashtra tops list of public sector lenders in loan in Q1 2023

State-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the top performer among public sector lenders in loan and deposit growth in percentage terms during the first quarter of the current financial year.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

The deposit and advances of the Pune-based lender recorded a nearly 25 percent rise, the highest by any public sector bank during the April-June quarter.

With a growth rate of 24.98 percent, the gross domestic advances of the bank rose to Rs 1,75,676 crore at the end of June 2023.

954 Police awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day

A total of 954 police personnel have been awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been awarded to the Central Reserve Police Force’s Assistant Commandant Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh.

The Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been awarded to 229 police personnel. President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) to 82 and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) has been awarded to 642. According to the Home Ministry, 125 personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 71 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir region and 11 personnel from North East region are being awarded for their gallant action. 

American golfer Lilia Vu captures second major at Women’s British Open 2023

American golfer Lilia Vu won the Women’s British Open to claim her second major title of 2023 by defeating Charley Hull.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

She also won the Chevron Championship in April 2023, became the first female player to win two majors in the same year since Jin Young Ko in 2019, and the first American woman since Juli Inkster in 1999.

Three of the five women’s majors have been won by American this year 2023 Allisen Corpuz won the Women’s U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach.

NAFIS gets Gold Award for fool-proof fingerprint identification system

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) Team won Gold Award under Excellence in Government Process Reengineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Complaints in Aug 2023.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

In his tweet, Shri Amit Shah said that this award for excellence in delivering e-governance is a recognition of the dedication the entire NAFIS team has put into creating a fool-proof fingerprint identification system, in pursuit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a secure India

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided NAFIS devices to all Districts, Police Commissionerates, Central and State Fingerprint Bureaus and Central agencies like NIA, CBI and NCB. NAFIS has revolutionized the fingerprint recognition system in crime control. With this system, the work of tracing the involvement of interstate criminals in crimes is being done with greater ease, accuracy and efficiency across the country.

ABOUT NAFIS

NAFIS helps in the quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of a centralized fingerprint database.

It assigns a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each person arrested for a crime.

Kupwara bagged ‘Best Performer District Award’ under PMAY-G Convergence

District Kupwara has been conferred with the award for the “Best Performer District 2023 in UT of J&K under PMAY-G” by Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor J&K UT, held at Srinagar.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

Kupwara has received the award in recognition of the construction of 4723 PMAY houses out of a target of 4902 houses for FY 2022-23.

PMAY-Gis successfully fulfilled the dream of several poor and vulnerable families having their own Pucca house in frontier Kupwara district.

The award has been formally received by ACD Kupwara, Hilal Ahmad Mir in presence of Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta and Commissioner Secretary RDD&PR, Mandeep Kour. Pertinently the Pradhan Mantri Awas yojana -Gramin is successfully fulfilling the dream of several poor and vulnerable families having their own Pucca house in frontier Kupwara district.

Empowerment of women is becoming possible through PMAY-G and women are also getting ownership rights. The rural housing programme not only provides a home to the poor but also generates employment for them up to 96 days work under MGNREGA besides LPG connection, water and electricity connections are provided to PMAY beneficiaries under convergence.

Independence Day 2023 Celebrations: Key Highlights from PM Modi’s Speech

Independence Day 2023: PM Modi’s Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked India’s 77th Independence Day by unfurling the national flag at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. His 90-minute speech was his tenth straight Independence Day address. PM Modi has routinely delivered longer Independence Day addresses than any other Prime Minister.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

Vision for a New World Order:

PM Modi expressed that a transformative global shift, akin to the post-World War II era, is in progress after the pandemic. He likened India’s role to that of “Vishwamitra,” symbolizing its evolving significance on the world stage.

Launch of Vishwakarma Yojana:

PM Modi announced the initiation of the Vishwakarma Yojana, aimed at uplifting barbers and goldsmiths. An initial allocation of Rs. 13,000-15,000 crore would be made to the scheme.

Peaceful Resolution for Manipur:

• Addressing the ongoing crisis in Manipur, PM Modi assured that a peaceful solution will be pursued for the northeastern state.
• He emphasized India’s solidarity with the people of Manipur.

Empowering Border Villages:

• PM Modi highlighted the government’s “Vibrant Villages” initiative, transforming the perspective on border villages.
• He stated that these border villages are not just the last in India but the first, signifying their importance.

Legacy of Announcements:

• Since his inaugural Independence Day speech in 2014, PM Modi has used the platform to introduce significant policies and engage with citizens.
• Notable announcements have included the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Culmination:

• The ceremony concluded the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which began in 2021.
• This initiative was launched by PM Modi to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Inclusive Participation:

• Around 1,800 special guests from diverse sectors of society were invited to witness the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort.

Empowerment of Middle Class and Women:

• PM Modi highlighted the focus on middle-class and women-led development in his address.
• He pledged to strengthen the middle class in the nation during the forthcoming years.

Dream of Empowered Women:

• PM Modi praised women’s self-help groups and aspired to create two crore ‘lakhpati didis’ (prosperous sisters).
• He advocated for the protection of daughters and emphasized collective responsibility against atrocities.

National Flag of India Size and Dimensions

The national flag of India, also known as Tricolor or Tiranga, is a symbol of the nation’s unity, diversity, and rich cultural heritage. The Indian flag, with its brilliant colours of saffron, white, and green, represents the country’s values, aspirations, and growth. In this article, we will know about the size and dimensions of the National flag of India.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

Design and Symbolism

The Indian National flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The top stripe is saffron, the middle stripe is white and the bottom one is green. A navy blue Ashok Chakra with 24 spokes is located at the center of the white stripe. Each of these elements holds significant symbolism:

• Saffron (Top Stripe): This color signifies courage, sacrifice, and selflessness. It reflects the spirit of the people of India, who have always been ready to make sacrifices for the nation’s welfare.
• White (Middle Strip): White symbolises honesty, purity, and tranquilly. It also represents the acceptance of all religions and communities, emphasising India’s rich and harmonious culture.
• Green (Bottom Stripe): The green stripe symbolizes fertility, growth, and auspiciousness. It reflects India’s agricultural heritage and its commitment to sustainable development.
• Ashoka Chakra: It embodies righteousness, progress and the perpetuity of life. The Chakra also underscores India’s efforts towards self-realization and self-discovery.

Size and Dimensions

The Flag Code of India outlines the specifications for the size and dimensions of the National Flag to ensure uniformity and respect for the flag’s dignity.

The flag’s proportions are as follows:

1. Width to Length Ratio: The width of the flag is two-thirds of its length. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2:3.
2. Size options: The Flag Code of India has specified various sizes for the national flag, based on their use and displays.

3. Diameter of Ashoka Chakra: The diameter of the Ashoka Chakra is determined based on the white stripe’s width. It should be three-fourths of the white stripe’s width. The Ashoka Chakra is centered on the white stripe, equidistant from the top and bottom edges.

Respectful usage of the National Flag

The Indian National Flag holds immense significance and must be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Some of the guidelines for its appropriate usage are:

• The flag should never touch the ground.
• It should not be used for commercial purposes.
• When displayed, it should be flown in a proper manner.
• It should never be dipped into any person or thing.
• The flag should always be hoisted with saffron at the top and green at the bottom.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, costume, or uniform.
• Damaged or soiled flags should be privately destroyed in a dignified manner.

Traditional Medicine Global Summit To Be Held In Gandhinagar On Aug 17, 18

The inaugural WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is scheduled to take place on August 17 and 18, 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. This event will intertwine with the G20 health ministerial meeting, creating a dynamic platform aimed at galvanizing both political commitment and evidence-based actions in the realm of traditional medicine. This age-old practice serves as the initial recourse for millions across the globe, catering to their diverse health and well-being requisites.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023

A Collaborative Endeavor: WHO and the Government of India as Co-Hosts

• The Global Summit will be jointly orchestrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India, which presently holds the esteemed presidency of the G20 for the year 2023.
• The Summit will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including traditional medicine practitioners, users, communities, national politicians, international organisations, academia, private sector representatives, and civil society entities.
• Together, they will share pearls of wisdom, groundbreaking evidence, transformative data, and pioneering innovations that underscore the indispensable role of traditional medicine in both health and sustainable development.

Traditional Medicine: A Time-Honored Beacon of Health

• With a legacy spanning centuries, traditional and complementary medicine has woven itself intricately into the fabric of households and communities worldwide. Pioneering the frontiers of medicine and science, it has laid the bedrock for conventional medical frameworks.
• Surprisingly, 40% of current pharmaceutical products can be traced back to natural sources. Furthermore, major medical achievements like aspirin, artemisinin, and paediatric cancer treatments have their roots in traditional medicine.
• As technology ushers in a new era, disciplines like genomics and artificial intelligence are permeating this ancient practice, while thriving industries for herbal medicines, natural products, health, wellness, and holistic travel take flight.

The Global Quest for Knowledge: Data, Evidence, and Equitable Use

• In the wake of surging global interest and demand, WHO in March 2022, fortified by the support of the Government of India, unveiled the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.
• This pivotal knowledge hub operates with the mission to synthesize timeless wisdom and contemporary science, forging a path towards enhanced health and well-being for people and the planet.
• With a steadfast focus on partnership, evidence, data, biodiversity, and innovation, the Centre endeavors to optimize traditional medicine’s contribution to universal health coverage, sustainable development, and global well-being. It does so while remaining deeply rooted in the principles of respect for local heritage, resources, and rights.

Key Points for Competitive Examinations

• Director-General of WHO: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus